As the coronavirus is infecting human beings, one large population at a time, mental health is suffering greatly. Isolation at home, physical distancing, staying away from loved ones and close ones during infection are some of the challenges we are all facing since 2020.
The psychological well-being of an individual has deteriorated a lot in these two years. Lockdowns, restricted movement and forcing oneself to remain alone and isolated are not what human beings are for.
On February 1, the Indian government, in its annual budget, has given mental health a top priority. In 2022-2023, the government allocated Rs 86,200.65 crore to the health sector. This is an increase of 16.59% compared to the estimated budget for 2021-22. The government has proposed establishing a national telemental health service. This will include a network of 23 mental health telecenters of excellence with NIMHANS as the hub and IIIT Bangalore providing technology support, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in her budget address.
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