In a move to bolster mental health services, the government has rolled out the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP), which encompasses postpartum mothers, as revealed in Parliament. The District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) under NMHP has received approval for execution in 767 districts, with state/union territories receiving support through the National Health Mission, stated Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Savitri Thakur.
Facilities provided under DMHP at the Community Health Centre (CHC) and Primary Health Centre (PHC) levels include outpatient services, assessment, counseling, psycho-social interventions, continuing care for individuals with severe mental disorders, medication, outreach services, and ambulance services. Moreover, there is a provision for a 10-bed in-patient facility at the district level, the minister informed.
Furthermore, over 1.83 lakh Sub Health Centres (SHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) have been upgraded to Ayushman Arogya Mandirs by the government. Mental health services have been incorporated into the service packages offered at these Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, according to Thakur.
Operational guidelines and training manuals for various cadres on Mental, Neurological, and substance use disorders (MNS) at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs have been issued under Ayushman Bharat. Additionally, 25 Centres of Excellence have been sanctioned under the tertiary care component of NMHP to enhance student intake in PG departments specializing in mental health and provide tertiary-level treatment facilities.
The government has also extended support to 19 government medical colleges/institutions to strengthen 47 PG Departments specializing in mental health. The country hosts 47 government-run mental hospitals, including three Central Mental Health Institutions, with mental health services also available at all AIIMS facilities.
To further enhance access to quality mental health counseling and care services, the government has launched the “National Tele Mental Health Programme.”
