The Central government is strengthening mental health services in India through the implementation of the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP). NMHP was launched by the government of India in 1982 to ensure availability and accessibility to minimum mental healthcare for all. The plan is to now focus on vulnerable groups like postpartum mothers and expand access at the grassroots level.
Steps are being taken to strengthen mental health services at the primary healthcare level. According to the National Mental Health Survey, 2016, the prevalence of depressive disorders in females above age 18 is 5.72%. Hence, as a part of this programme, the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) has been sanctioned, says the Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Savitri Thakur, in Rajya Sabha. DMHP, launched in 1996 under the NMHP, is a government initiative to integrate mental healthcare into the public system and make mental health accessible across districts.
Read More: The Changing Landscape of Mental Health Policy in India: A Comprehensive Analysis
Key Highlights
1. District Mental Health Programme sanctioned for implementation in 767 districts. For this, support will be provided to states and UTs through the National Health Mission.
2. Facilities to be made available under DMHP at Community Health Centre and Primary Health Centre levels, inter alia, include outpatient services, assessment, counselling/psycho social interventions and continuing care and support to people with severe mental disorders, drugs, outreach services and ambulance services, etc.
3. A 10-bedded inpatient facility will be provided at the district level. More than 1.83 lakh Sub Health Centres (SHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) have been upgraded to Ayushman Arogya Mandir. Ayushman Arogya Mandir have a vision to move from selective to comprehensive services, including preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative care.
4. Packages of mental health services have been added under the Comprehensive Primary Health Care provided at Arogya Mandirs. Operational guidelines along with training manuals for various cadres on Mental, Neurological and Substance use disorders at Arogya Mandir.
5. Under the Tertiary care component of NMHP 25, 25 Centres of Excellence have been approved to enhance postgraduate training and treatment facilities. Also, 19 government medical colleges will be provided support to strengthen 47 post-graduate departments in the mental health speciality.
6. The National Tele Mental Health Programme was launched in October 2022 to improve access to mental health counselling and care services in the country. The current status involves 36 states and UTs that have operationalised 53 Tele Manas cells, handling approximately 34.34 lakh calls through the helpline. The mobile application for the same now also includes video consultation facilities in addition to existing telephonic services.
Read More: The Rise of Tele-MANAS in Telangana: 1.38‑Lakh Calls Make It a Lifeline for Mental Health
Key concepts explained
1. National Mental Health Programme (NMHP)
Launched by the government of India in 1982 due to poor awareness about symptoms of mental illnesses, myths and stigma related to it, lack of knowledge about treatment availability and potential benefits of seeking treatment. The NMHP aims to ensure availability as well as accessibility of mental healthcare, to encourage participation at the community level in mental health services and to encourage the application of mental health knowledge in general healthcare and in Social development.
Read More: Telangana Government’s Initiative to Implement the Mental Health Care Act
2. District Mental Health Programme (DMHP)
It is a government initiative aiming to integrate mental healthcare into the public system and make mental health accessible across districts. It was launched in 1996 under the National Mental Health Programme. Services offered include diagnosis and treatment, psychiatric services, counselling, psycho social support at District hospitals, along with outreach services that extend care into the community through referral at local healthcare centres.
3. Sub health centres
These are the first point of contact between the primary healthcare system and the country’s rural communities. Centres cover a population of 5000 in plain areas and 3000 in hilly or difficult terrain. Services include immunisations, maternal/child healthcare, family planning, etc. Each subject centre has at least one Auxiliary Nurse Midwife/Female Health Worker.
National Tele Manas Mental Health Programme (NTMHP)
It was launched by the government of India on October 10, 2022. It has made a significant contribution to the nation’s mental healthcare system. As a part of this initiative, a toll-free helpline (14416) was introduced that was available nationwide, offering a range of mental health services. It provided telephone-based counselling, psychotherapy, and psychiatric consultation without the barrier of distance or cost. This programme made mental healthcare accessible to millions across India, especially in remote areas, ensuring that people receive timely support.
References +
The government implements the National Mental Health Programme to strengthen mental health services. (n.d.). https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2247567®=3&lang=1#:~:text=To%20strengthen%20mental%20health%20services%2C%20the%20Government%20of%20India%20implements,at%20these%20Ayushman%20Arogya%20Mandirs.
National Mental Health Programme to boost services, says Minister of State for Women and Child Development. (n.d.). Docthub News. https://news.docthub.com/national-mental-health-programme-to-boost-services-says-minister-of-state-for-women-and-child-development-N1382
District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) – MHFA India. (n.d.). Mental Health First Aid India. https://www.mhfaindia.com/blog/district-mental-health-programme
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare-Government of India. (n.d.). National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) : National Health Mission. https://nhm.gov.in/index1.php?lang=1&level=2&sublinkid=1043&lid=359
Official Website Ayushman Arogya Mandir. (n.d.). https://aam.mohfw.gov.in/
Home. (n.d.). Open Government Data (OGD) Platform India. https://data.gov.in/
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. (n.d.). https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=153277&ModuleId=3®=3&lang=1#:~:text=Introduction,for%20delivering%20mental%20health%20care
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