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5 ways your care manager supports your mental wellbeing

Published on 6 November 2024

Did you know that, beyond your usual check-ups, you can talk to a care manager at your polyclinic about mental health concerns? Here’s how they can help.

Managing your mental health is just as important as caring for your physical health, especially if you are living with a chronic condition. At the National University Polyclinics (NUP), care managers provide an additional touchpoint for support.

These specially trained nurses are able to identify the early signs of mental health struggles, perform initial assessments, and offer personalised counselling. By working with doctors and care coordinators, they help ensure patients receive comprehensive care for both body and mind.

Ms Liew Ming Lee, a Care Manager at NUP, recalled one memorable visit. “Part of my role is to help patients validate their personal blood pressure machines to ensure that the readings taken at home are accurate. A patient arrived with her home blood pressure machine, and I noticed that she seemed restless and fidgety, so I gently enquired if she often felt anxious,” she said.

The patient opened up and shared that she was grieving the recent loss of her husband, who used to help her monitor her blood pressure. She expressed concern about managing it on her own moving forward.

“I am thankful for my training in communication and counselling. During the session, I took time to ask open-ended questions to better understand her situation, and discovered she had strong family support. Along with showing her how to monitor her blood pressure at home, I introduced her to our Health and Mind services, including our psychologist who could guide her through her grief,” Ms Liew said.

“She eventually accepted the referral and left feeling more assured, knowing that support was available.”

Since July 2024, NUP has enhanced its capabilities by further training care managers like Ms Liew in specialised areas such as reviewing patients during their initial visit at the Health and Mind Clinic (HMC).

Ms Liew Ming Lee (right) discusses patient care strategies with her colleague, Ms Cecelia Song.

The care managers assist to gather biodata history, conduct mental health screenings, and provide crisis intervention prior to patients' consultations with the HMC doctor.

Virtual consultations are also offered to evaluate the wellbeing of patients two weeks after initiating anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medications. This move extends their responsibilities beyond managing chronic conditions, so that patients receive consistent support for their mental wellbeing throughout their healthcare journey.

Here is a closer look at how care managers can help safeguard your mental health:

1. Helping you set realistic health goals
Being diagnosed with a chronic disease can feel like a lot to handle. Suddenly, there is a new routine to manage, and it can be overwhelming. Some patients struggle with things like daily insulin injections for diabetes mellitus. “We recognise and enhance the strengths and capabilities of patients while determining their priorities and values to establish attainable health goals,” Ms Liew explained. Breaking goals into smaller, more achievable steps also goes a long way in easing their stress.

2. Offering expert guidance backed by extensive training
Besides being specially trained, care managers also undergo additional courses to improve their communication skills with patients. Ms Liew has taken courses in active listening, motivational interviewing and stress management, among others. “Some patients give brief answers when I ask about their health practices,” she said. “When I dig deeper and ask open-ended questions, they eventually open up.” Once that trust is built, she works with them to tackle their health goals.

Over the past two years, Ms Liew has also completed mental health-specific training. Since July 2024, she has conducted screenings for conditions such as depression, anxiety and insomnia at Bukit Panjang Polyclinic, where she is based. She plans to guide junior care managers in mental health screening and continue upskilling to provide the best care possible to patients.

3. Connecting you with the right support
At all seven NUP Polyclinics – Bukit Batok, Bukit Panjang, Choa Chu Kang, Clementi, Jurong, Pioneer and Queenstown – Health and Mind Clinics (HMCs) provide community-based mental health care for conditions like depression, anxiety and insomnia. These clinics are staffed by specially-trained nurses who perform mental health assessments, offer counselling and provide self-help strategies. They collaborate closely with doctors and psychologists to deliver comprehensive care tailored to each patient’s needs.

Care managers like Ms Liew play a key role in coordinating this support. In addition to monitoring patients, they help guide them through care plans, connecting them to the right resources, such as HMC services for further specialised care. This integrated approach allows patients to receive holistic mental health support within the polyclinic setting.

4. Saving you from the stress of unnecessary trips to the doctor
Care managers can review Healthier SG screening results and offer personalised advice. For instance, patients who have undergone Cardiovascular Risk Screening under the Screen For Life programme may not need a follow-up appointment if a care manager reviews their results via in-person or virtual consultations. Most care managers are also trained to administer preventive vaccinations, such as the flu or pneumococcal vaccines. “This ensures patients are vaccinated in a timely manner, avoiding additional clinic visits and reducing possible stress,” said Ms Liew.

5. A listening ear when you need it
A big part of a care manager’s job is to help patients break through any barriers that stand in the way of their health goals. Care managers aim to keep an open mind. “Whatever reasons or challenges a patient may have – for instance, non-compliance with medication – I won’t judge them,” said Ms Liew, adding that she is grateful for the opportunity to support them and offer help where she can.

In consultation with Ms Liew Ming Lee, Care Manager, NUP.