The Meghalaya cabinet has approved a policy aimed at tackling mental health and social care issues through collaborative engagement with communities, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said.
Meghalaya is the third state in the country to have introduced such a policy, paying attention to mental health problems, especially among children, adolescents and young people, he said.
Officials said the new policy seeks to address the social determinants of mental ill-health and ensure cultural safety with a collaborative engagement with the communities it aims to serve.
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It also aims to promote mental health and general well-being and facilitate appropriate access and pathways to care for common and serious mental health problems, with a focus on person-centred care.
Health Minister James PK Sangma said the policy was culturally embedded in the state and seeks to address stigma related to mental health.
“It is a community-focused initiative and will enhance recognition, rehabilitation and reform, necessary to raise awareness and build support systems,” he explained.
Sangma noted that the Covid-19 pandemic had highlighted the need to design a robust and inclusive institutional response, especially for vulnerable groups.
Kerala and Karnataka are the other two states in the country that have such policies.
In 2014, the Center launched the first National Mental Health Policy in an attempt to provide universal psychiatric care.
On World Mental Health Day, the Meghalaya government had announced that the state would soon have a mental health policy.
Consequently, comments from members of civil society were received and incorporated into the draft of the policy, after which it was submitted to the cabinet, a senior health official said. ITP.
The policy will be implemented through the convergence of different departments, while strengthening human resources and community institutions, including financial support and infrastructure, it added.
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