News Highlight
The govt-run facilities are “illegally” keeping patients long after their recovery, according to a recent report by NHRC: Violation of Mental Healthcare Act, 2017.
Key Takeaway
- In a report, the NHRC highlighted the “inhuman and appalling” state of all 46 government-run mental healthcare institutions across the country.
- The Union government handles three, and the remaining State governments.
- Moreover, the persistent shortage of doctors, lack of infrastructure, and basic amenities speak of a “very pitiful and inhuman management by many parties”.
Mental Healthcare Act, 2017
- About
- It was passed in 2017, went into effect in May 2018 and replaced the 1987 Mental Health Act.
- To the delight of most Indian medical practitioners and mental health advocates, the statute decriminalised suicide attempts in India.
- It also followed WHO rules for categorising mental diseases.
- The essential component of the act was “advanced directives,” which allowed people with mental diseases to choose their treatment and someone to be their agent.
- It also prohibited using electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) on kids, eventually taking measures to combat stigma in Indian society.
Mental Health
- About
- The World Health Organization (WHO) defines mental health as a condition of well-being in which each individual reaches his or her full potential.
- In addition, she or he can cope with typical life difficulties, work professionally and fruitfully, and contribute to her or his community.
- Mental health is a fundamental human right for personal, communal, and socioeconomic growth.
Challenges in Promoting Mental Health
- High Public Health Burden
- According to the latest National Mental Health Survey 2015-16, an estimated 150 million people in India require mental health care treatments.
- Lack of Resources
- Low mental health workforce in India (per 100,000 population), including psychiatrists, nurses, psychologists and social workers.
- A low financial resource allocation of slightly more than 1% of GDP on healthcare has created barriers to public access to inexpensive mental healthcare.
- Lack of Awareness
- Poor awareness of the symptoms of mental illness, societal stigma, and abandonment of the mentally ill, particularly the elderly and indigent, all contribute to social isolation.
- Reluctance from family members to seek therapy for the patient has resulted in a significant treatment gap.
- It worsens a person’s current mental condition.
- Prone to Abuse
- Patients who are mentally ill are vulnerable to and frequently suffer from physical violence, sexual assault, and unlawful detention, even in their own homes.
- Furthermore, mental care facilities are a source of concern and a grave violation of human rights.
- National Mental Health Program (NMHP)
- The project was launched to detect, manage and treat mental illness.
- Under NMHP, the District Mental Health Program (DMHP) was established in 1996.
- National Mental Health Policy, 2014
- The policy aims to promote mental health, prevent mental illness, and facilitate recovery.
- In addition, it promotes destigmatisation and desegregation and ensures the socioeconomic inclusion of mentally ill persons.
- Kiran Helpline
- The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched the ‘Kiran’ toll-free helpline in 2020.
- Its purpose is to help people suffering from anxiety, stress, depression, suicide ideation, and other mental health issues.
- Manodarpan Initiative
- It is a project of the Ministry of Education designed to provide psychosocial support to kids, family members and instructors for their mental health.
- Furthermore, the well-being during the times of the Covid-19 epidemic.
Conclusion
- The government should make suitable budgetary provisions to overcome the existing infrastructural deficiencies.
- A proper survey should identify mental health professional shortages and operational impediments to effective mental health programme implementation.
- Increasing the budget allocation for mental healthcare facilities and accompanying infrastructure.
Pic Courtesy: freepik
Content Source: The Hindu