October 10 marks World Mental Health Day. The World Federation for Mental Health announced it as World Mental Health Day in 1992 and celebrates it with a new theme every year.
Mental disorders are basically and undeniable to a large extent curable. What makes the challenge more difficult is stereotypes and prejudice such people face purely as a result from misconceptions about mental illness. As a result, people with mental illness are robbed of the opportunities that define a quality life including good jobs, satisfactory health care, and association with a diverse group of people.
Even in familial and societal setups where mental illnesses are recognised as bonafide problems, there is a taboo around seeking treatment. And a large section of people believe that seeking expert help, even if it is available, is not really needed. This mindset needs a change for a better future.
To provide affordable and accessible mental healthcare facilities in the country, the Government informed parliament earlier this year that it is implementing the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) in the country. The District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) component of the NMHP has been sanctioned for implementation in 738 districts for which support is provided to States/UTs through the National Health Mission. Facilities made available under DMHP at the Community Health Centre(CHC) and Primary Health Centre(PHC) levels, include outpatient services, assessment, counselling/ psycho-social interventions, continuing care and support to persons with severe mental disorders, drugs, outreach services, ambulance services etc, the government said.
Besides, there is a provision of 10 bedded in-patient facility at the District level. To provide specialized care for mental health patients under the tertiary care component of NMHP, 25 Centres of Excellence have been sanctioned in the Central and State Government Mental Health Institutions and Medical Colleges to increase the intake of students in PG departments in mental health specialities as well as to provide tertiary level treatment facilities.
Apart from it, the Government has launched a “National Tele Mental Health Programme” on 10th October last year, to improve access to quality mental health counselling and care services in the country. All States/ UTs have set up Tele MANAS Cells and have started tele mental health services. Continuous efforts are needed for better mental health care, it said.
World Mental Health Day provides an opportunity to discuss mental health in general, addressing issues related to how to break the stigma around it and the importance of speaking out when struggling with a mental health issue. Together with the treatment gap, there is need to help those having mental health issues and proactively address stigma and discrimination associated with mental ill health.
