Dr Rathi Mahendran is a Senior Consultant Psychiatrist at Mind Care Clinic in Singapore. She holds her medical degree and Master of Medicine in Psychiatry from Singapore, a Master of Medical Education from the University of Dundee, and is a Fellow of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore.
Her clinical and research interests include depression and anxiety disorders, geriatric psychiatry and memory disorders, and psychosocial care in oncology. She previously led Memory Clinic services at the National University Hospital and the psychosocial care team at the National University Cancer Institute, Singapore.
Clinical focus
Mood & anxiety disorders, geriatric psychiatry.
Qualifications (as publicly listed)
MBBS (Singapore), MMed (Psychiatry) (Singapore), MMedEd (Dundee), FAMS.
Where they practise
- Clinic / practice: Mind Care Clinic — Farrer Park Medical Centre; SBF Center, Robinson Road
- Hospital / training affiliation(s): Formerly National University Hospital / National University Cancer Institute, Singapore
Getting to the clinic
Dr Rathi Mahendran sees patients with Mind Care Clinic, whose rooms are at Farrer Park Medical Centre and at the SBF Center on Robinson Road. For the Farrer Park location, the most direct route is Farrer Park MRT (NE8) on the North East Line; the Connexion building that houses the medical centre sits directly above the station, so you can reach the lifts without going out into the weather. For the Robinson Road rooms, the nearest options are Tanjong Pagar MRT (EW15) and Telok Ayer MRT (DT18), both a short walk into the Shenton Way and Robinson Road financial district.
- By MRT: Farrer Park (NE8) for the medical centre; Tanjong Pagar or Telok Ayer for SBF Center.
- By bus: Serdang Road, Race Course Road and Robinson Road are served by several routes; check your preferred app for the stop closest to the building entrance.
- By car or taxi: taxi and ride-hailing drop-off is available at both buildings, and each has a paid visitor carpark. The city-centre rooms can be busy at lunchtime, so allow extra time.
Confirm which site your appointment is at when you book, as the clinic operates from more than one address.
What geriatric and mood psychiatry covers
Dr Mahendran’s interests span depression and anxiety disorders, geriatric psychiatry and memory disorders, and psychosocial care in oncology. Geriatric psychiatry, sometimes called old age psychiatry, looks after mental health conditions that emerge or change in later life. This includes late-life depression and anxiety, mood changes that accompany physical illness, sleep disturbance, and the behavioural and psychological symptoms that can occur alongside dementia. Memory disorder assessment overlaps with this work: distinguishing normal age-related forgetfulness from mild cognitive impairment or an evolving dementia matters because the management of each differs. Mood and anxiety care covers major depression, persistent low mood, panic, generalised anxiety and stress-related conditions across the adult lifespan. Psychosocial oncology, an area she has led, addresses the emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis on patients and their families, including adjustment difficulties, anxiety and low mood during and after treatment.
What to expect at a consultation
A first psychiatric consultation is mostly conversation. The psychiatrist will ask about your current concerns, how long they have been present, and how they affect your sleep, appetite, concentration, work and relationships. Expect questions about your past medical and psychiatric history, current and previous medications, family history, alcohol and substance use, and your social circumstances. Where memory is a concern, a cognitive assessment and a collateral history from a family member can be valuable, so bringing a relative who knows you well is often helpful. Physical health is considered too, as thyroid problems, vitamin deficiencies and medication effects can mimic psychiatric symptoms; blood tests or a brain scan may be arranged. By the end of the visit you should have a working impression and a plan, which may involve talking therapy, medication, lifestyle measures, or a combination.
Preparing for your appointment
A little preparation makes the first visit more productive.
- Photo identification, and any GP or polyclinic referral letter if you have one.
- Previous medical and psychiatric records, discharge summaries, and any prior cognitive test or scan reports.
- A current list of all medications and supplements, including doses.
- A written note of your main symptoms, when they began, and what makes them better or worse.
- For memory concerns, a brief account from a family member and, if possible, that person’s company at the appointment.
- Your questions, written down, so nothing is forgotten in the moment.
After your consultation and follow-up
After the visit you will usually receive a clear plan and, where relevant, a prescription and a follow-up date. Medications for mood and anxiety often take some weeks to show their full effect, so early review appointments are used to check tolerability and response and to adjust the dose. If cognitive testing or imaging was arranged, results are discussed at a return visit. Continuity matters in this field; regular review allows treatment to be fine-tuned and relapses to be caught early. You are always entitled to seek a second opinion. Seek urgent help, through a hospital emergency department or a crisis line, if there are thoughts of self-harm or suicide, a sudden marked change in behaviour, or an acute confusional state.
Booking, referrals and fees
As a private clinic, Mind Care Clinic does not generally require a referral, though a letter from your GP or polyclinic can help with continuity and may be needed to access subsidies at public services. Consultation fees are usually paid out of pocket. MediSave, MediShield Life and Integrated Shield Plans have specific rules and limits that may apply to certain treatments rather than routine outpatient consultations. Always confirm current fees and what is claimable directly with the clinic before your appointment.
Common questions
Is some forgetfulness in older age normal?
Occasional lapses, such as misplacing keys, are common with age. Persistent decline that affects daily function, repeated questions or getting lost in familiar places warrants assessment.
Can depression be treated in older adults?
Yes. Late-life depression responds well to treatment, which may combine talking therapy, medication and attention to physical health and social support.
Will I have to take medication?
Not always. Some people are managed with therapy and lifestyle measures; medication is recommended when it is likely to help, and the decision is made together.
Should a family member come along?
For memory or geriatric concerns it is often very helpful, as a relative can describe changes you may not notice yourself and assist with the plan afterwards.
Related guides
Sources & verification
See also: our editorial directory of psychiatrists in Singapore and our shortlist of psychiatry clinics.
This is an independent, factual profile compiled from the public sources listed above — not a paid listing, advertisement or endorsement. Details can change; always verify a doctor’s current registration on the Singapore Medical Council public register and confirm specifics directly with the clinic. This page is general information, not medical advice or a recommendation of any individual practitioner. See our editorial policy.
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