The mental health situation in India is very worrying. According to government data, one in seven people suffer from a mental health problem. This means that around 15 million people are facing mental illness. But only 10 to 12 percent of these people get proper treatment. Due to lack of mental health services and lack of awareness, many people remain untreated. Despite the government’s efforts, much more needs to be done to increase the availability and quality of mental health services.
government statistics
After the issue was raised in the Rajya Sabha, the government presented the figures that the government has taken many steps to improve mental health services in India, but these services are still quite limited. There are only 47 government mental health hospitals in the country. Of these, there are three major central institutions.
- National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore
- Gopinath Bordoloi People’s Regional Institute of Mental Health, Tezpur, Assam
- Central Institute of Mental Health, Ranchi
The ratio of doctors to patients in these hospitals is very low. This means that one doctor has many patients, which means that not all patients receive proper and timely treatment. Because of this, the quality of mental health services decreases and patients have to face problems.
Know what the government is doing
National Mental Health Programme (NMHP): Under this programme, 25 good quality mental health centres have been established, while 47 new departments have been set up in 19 government medical colleges, so that mental health expert doctors can be trained. Mental health services are also being provided in 22 new hospitals of AIIMS. District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) has been implemented in 767 districts. Under this, mental health services are being provided in district hospitals, community health centres (CHCs) and primary health centres (PHCs). This includes counselling, medication and treatment.
Under Ayushman Arogya Mandir, more than 1.73 lakh Small Health Centres (SHCs), Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHCs) and Urban Health and Wellness Centres (UHWCs) have been established. Mental health services are also available in these centres.
WHO report
According to a WHO report, in 2011, there were only three psychiatrists for every one lakh patients suffering from mental health disorders in India. Whereas in developed countries, there are about seven psychiatrists for every one lakh population. The number of mental hospitals in India is very less. When it comes to mental hospitals, the names of Agra, Bareilly, Ranchi and NIMHANS (Bengaluru) come first. Even in the national capital Delhi, there are only three mental hospitals: AIIMS and IHBAS are government-owned, while Vimhans is private.
Disclaimer: Some information given in the news is based on media reports. Before implementing any suggestion, you must consult the concerned expert.
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