Concerns About Mental Health In India
Mental health-related issues are rising in India according to the Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare, which tabled its 148th report on ‘Mental Health Care and Its Management in Contemporary Times’, in Parliament, earlier this month.
The report cautioning that the country lags with inadequate staff, medical infrastructure and budgetary allocation.
The Committee stated that India currently has 0.75 psychiatrists per lakh people, which is significantly low.
The Committee observed that if India targets having three psychiatrists per lakh people, it will need 27,000 more psychiatrists.
This scenario is similar for other professionals such as psychologists, psychiatric social workers, and nurses.
The Committee also suggested increasing the number of seats for MD Psychiatry courses.
There has been adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psycho-social well-being of all groups, especially children, adolescents, and caregivers.
The other challenge is weak infrastructure and stigma.
The total Budget Estimate (BE) for the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) is ₹ 89,155 crore.
Of this allocations for mental health were as follows - National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences, (NIMHANS), Bengaluru (₹ 721 crore); Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Regional Institute of Mental Health, Tezpur (₹. 64 crore) and the National Tele-Mental Health Programme (₹ 134 crore).
In 2010, global economic losses of around $2.5 trillion annually were attributed to poor mental health, stemming from diminished well-being and productivity. This will surge to $6 trillion by 2030.
The latest report highlights inadequate funding for care and research.
Way forward
The report noted the need for evidence-based interventions for developing infrastructure and other policies around mental health.
Requires increased financial support and expanded psychiatry residency programmes.
Need establishment of positions for trained psychiatrists within institutions and district mental health programmes.
Ensuring an ample number of working psychologists is essential to effectively operate any mental health facility and reduce the treatment gap.
The Committee also recommended that the Ministry should ensure essential medicines are available concerning mental health issues and suggests that the government further leverage the network of wellness clinics and tele-medicine to benefit patients.
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