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The state of mental health in India is very worrying. According to government data, one in every seven people is suffering from some mental health problem. This means about 15 crore people are facing mental illnesses. But only 10-12 percent of these people get proper treatment. Many people remain without treatment due to lack of mental health services and lack of awareness. Despite government efforts, a lot still needs to be done to increase the availability and quality of mental health services.
Government statistics
According to the data presented by the government after the question raised in the Rajya Sabha, the government has taken several steps to improve mental health services in India, but these services are still very limited. There are only 47 government mental health hospitals in the country. Of these, three are major central institutions.
- National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru
- Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Regional Mental Health Institute, Tezpur, Assam
- Central Institute of Mental Health, Ranchi
The ratio of doctors and patients in these hospitals is very low. This means that one doctor has many patients, due to which all patients are not able to get timely and proper treatment. Due to this, the quality of mental health services decreases and patients have to face problems.
Know what the government is doing
National Mental Health Program (NMHP): Under this, 25 good mental health centers have been built, while 47 new departments have been started in 19 government medical colleges to prepare specialist doctors for mental health. Mental health services are also being provided in 22 new AIIMS hospitals. The District Mental Health Program (DMHP) program has been implemented in 767 districts. Under this, mental health services are provided in district hospitals, community health centers (CHC), and primary health centers (PHC). This includes counseling, medicines 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 upgraded to Ayushman Arogya Mandir. Mental health services are also being provided in these centres.
WHO report
According to a WHO report, in 2011, India had only three psychiatrists for every one lakh patients suffering from mental health disorders. 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 first names that come to mind are Agra, Bareilly, Ranchi and NIMHANS (Bengaluru). Even the national capital Delhi has only three mental hospitals: AIIMS and IHBAS are government, while VIMHANS is private.
Disclaimer: Some of the information given in the news is based on media reports. Before implementing any suggestion, please consult the concerned expert.
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