image credit- NTU
Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore and National Healthcare Group (NHG) are launching a new clinical psychology graduate programme that contributes to national efforts in strengthening manpower capabilities in Singapore’s mental healthcare services.
The Applied Specialist Psychology Integrated Residency Education (ASPIRE) is a structured, stackable three-year programme that culminates in a Master of Psychology (Clinical) degree.
Jointly developed and delivered by NTU’s Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine) and NHG Health’s Institute of Mental Health (IMH), ASPIRE is Singapore’s first work-study training pathway for clinical psychology. The programme is supported by the Singapore Psychological Society (SPS).
According to the National Mental Health and Well-being Strategy released in 2023, the ratio of psychologists to population is 9.7 per 100,000. Recognising a growing demand for mental health professionals such as clinical psychologists, the Government aims to increase the number of psychologists by about 40 per cent to 300, in the public sector, by 2030.
It will be the first clinical psychology graduate programme in Singapore to offer a module on restrictive prescribing, which equips clinical psychologists with the essential knowledge and skills to be safe prescribers for specific mental health related medications under strict conditions. The clinical psychology leaders will be working with stakeholders to facilitate the governance and obtain the necessary approval for translation of prescribing knowledge and skills into practice that will benefit patients.
Students will undergo extensive training in psychopharmacology, ethical considerations, risk assessment and evidence-based decision-making. This will be taught in collaboration with psychiatrists, physicians and pharmacists to understand restrictive prescribing practices within multidisciplinary healthcare settings.
