New research initiative aims to track and diagnose children with mental and neurodevelopmental conditions over a 10-year period.
Singapore has launched a significant new research initiative called the Building Resilience and Intervention (Brave) study, which will focus on screening children and adolescents between the ages of eight and 18 for various mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions. These conditions include Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), anxiety, and depression. The ambitious project, led by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), is expected to involve 40,000 households with children born between 2007 and 2016. The study will not only screen for these conditions but also track the participants over a period of up to 10 years.
Unlike other studies that rely on self-reports of symptoms, the Brave study will offer participants both a screening process and a diagnostic test for those who screen positive for any of the four conditions in its first phase. This phase will be conducted within the first two years of the study. Participants will begin with an online questionnaire, which takes about 30 minutes to complete, gathering demographic details and potential risk factors such as family conflict or financial issues.
If needed, the study will invite participants to undergo a more comprehensive assessment to establish a formal diagnosis. The assessments, typically costing hundreds to thousands of dollars, will be provided at no cost to participants. Following the diagnostic phase, the IMH team will offer guidance on appropriate support services for children and their families, including access to counselling or clinical consultations.
The Brave study, which is set to follow up with participants one year after the initial screening, aims to answer crucial questions about the prevalence and development of mental health issues in children. Dr. Lim Choon Guan, chief of IMH’s Department of Developmental Psychiatry and principal investigator of the study, emphasized the importance of identifying and addressing mental health conditions early, before they become more severe.
Associate Professor Daniel Fung, IMH’s chief executive and co-investigator, added that the study would provide critical insights into the prevalence of ASD and ADHD, conditions that are not well understood in terms of their nationwide impact. The IMH’s child guidance clinics, for example, have seen a significant number of ADHD cases—around 24% of new cases in 2023 were diagnosed with ADHD. Autism and mental health conditions like depression and anxiety were also prevalent, but ADHD and ASD often receive less public attention.
The study has already impacted families like that of Sharon Chan, whose daughter, Lauren, was diagnosed with ADHD in May 2024. Lauren’s early school years were marked by behavioral issues like forgetfulness and difficulty focusing, which led her mother to seek an official diagnosis to ensure better understanding and support from teachers. Early intervention is one of the study’s goals, aiming to provide children with the tools they need before their conditions affect their schooling or social lives.
Dr. Lim explained that the Brave study is driven by three key research questions: first, how many children truly need help; second, whether preventive measures can stop problems before they arise; and third, how many children will go on to develop further mental health challenges. This proactive approach seeks to address the gap in existing support systems, which tend to react to problems rather than preventing them.
The Brave study is supported by a $1.5 million grant from the Temasek Foundation, which sees the initiative as an important step in understanding the complex social, cultural, and economic factors that may contribute to or protect children from mental health issues. The study, which is also supported by key medical institutions like National University Hospital, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, and the National Council of Social Service, will begin sending out invitations to eligible households soon.
As mental health becomes an increasingly important focus in Singapore, studies like Brave are crucial in providing the data needed to improve preventive care and long-term outcomes for children facing mental health and neurodevelopmental challenges.
