The government has confirmed a NT$40 billion (US$1.26 billion) investment to improve judicial psychiatric care services, which is care for patients in government custody or protection. In a press release on Monday, Health Ministry Mental Health Department Director Cheng Shu-hsin (鄭淑心) stated that construction is underway on a judicial psychiatric hospital which will bring the current count of 102 beds to the goal of 480 by the end of 2025.
Health Minister Chiu Tai-yuan (邱泰源) pointed out that the new Mental Health Act will be implemented on December 14. The five major amendments include further promotion of mental health, building additional community mental health centers, improving front-end prevention and crisis management, changing compulsory hospitalization, and protecting patient rights.
Chiu said that as of the end of October this year, over 20,600 psychiatric care beds in hospitals and nearly 8,000 beds in 230 residential mental rehabilitation institutions are available for public service. In addition, the ministry is subsidizing further recruitment of manpower including psychologists, occupational therapists, nurses, psychological counselors, mental health social workers, and others. Roughly 600 personnel were employed in 2021 compared to nearly 1,500 in 2024 with plans to reach 2,500 next year. Community mental health centers will also see an increase from 52 locations to 71 next year.
Cheng pointed out that the demand for judicial psychiatric beds will see a dramatic increase as mental health becomes a priority. Currently, there are only four judicial psychiatric wards located in hospitals open to the public. The completion of a judicial psychiatric hospital will achieve the goal of providing more beds for those in governmental custody and care.