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To enhance mental healthcare accessibility, the Government enforces the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP), including its District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) operating across 738 districts. Within the NMHP framework, DMHP provisions encompass a range of services at Community Health Centres (CHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs), offering outpatient care, assessments, counseling, psycho-social interventions, ongoing support for severe mental disorders, medications, outreach, ambulance services, and a 10-bed in-patient facility at district levels.
Additionally, the Government initiated the “National Tele Mental Health Programme” to expand quality counseling and mental health services. Presently, 34 States/UTs host 46 Tele MANAS Cells, having handled over 4,81,000 calls.
Under the NMHP’s tertiary care aspect, 25 Centers of Excellence aim to enhance PG intake and provide advanced treatment. Moreover, support is extended to 19 Government medical institutions and 47 PG Departments for mental health specialties. Services are also available at 22 AIIMS and covered under PMJAY.
The Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) emphasizes holistic development for adolescents, integrating mental health along with other crucial thematic areas. Initiatives like Adolescent Friendly Health Clinics (AFHC), Peer Education Programs, and Health and Wellness Days focus on mental health awareness and counseling involving stakeholders.
Ayushman Bharat School Health & Wellness Program integrates “Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health,” training teachers as Health and Wellness Ambassadors. Modules developed by NCERT and collaborative handbooks aid in addressing mental health concerns among school-going children.
‘Manodarpan,’ an initiative by the Ministry of Education, offers psychosocial support during and post-COVID, featuring a web page and a toll-free helpline. Various tele-counseling services and educational content are provided under this initiative.
IEC activities under NMHP raise awareness through diverse means such as local media, street plays, and wall paintings. PMJAY includes mental health services under its health insurance scheme.
Moreover, the Government focuses on manpower development via online training courses provided through Digital Academies at key mental health institutes. The National Mental Health Survey (NMHS) highlights the prevalence of mental disorders across different demographics, aiding in strategic planning and intervention.
Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prof. S.P Singh Bhagel, shared these initiatives in a recent statement to the Lok Sabha.
