10 Buangkok View
Singapore 539747
The Institute of Mental Health (IMH), first established in 1928 as The Mental Hospital, was located off Yio Chu Kang Road and replaced the ‘Lunatic Asylum’ at Sepoy Lines and the psychiatric ward in Pasir Panjang.
During World War II, it was used as a convalescent hospital for civilian casualties and later became the Japanese Civilian and Military Hospital. After the war, the female section was converted into the Royal Airforce Hospital, while the male section became the Japanese Prisoners-of-War Hospital. It resumed its status as the Mental Hospital in 1946. The hospital was renamed Woodbridge Hospital in 1951, after a wooden bridge that spanned across a stream from Sungei Seletar.
Between the 1950s and 1970s, hospital facilities expanded and a Nurses’ Hostel, recreation hall and new blocks were added, including 30 annexes (1977). The Psychiatric School of Nursing was also set up in 1954 and the Department of Psychiatric Social Work and Occupational Therapy were set up in 1955. Other services introduced included the Psychological Services and Outpatient clinics. In the 1970s, a Child Guidance Clinic (1972) and military psychiatry (1973) were introduced in line with IMH’s role in improving patient care and medical technology.
1993 marked a new chapter for Woodbridge Hospital when it moved to its new premises at Buangkok View. The name Institute of Mental Health (IMH) was added to reflect emphasis on research, training and mental health education.