Question : Mental Disorders

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the number of people suffering from Alzheimer, Dementia and other mental disorders is on the rise in the country, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government has formulated any programme or policy to cater to the treatment needs of the such patients including mentally challenged children during each of the last three years and the current year;

(c) the details of research institutes, mental hospitals and rehabilitation centres functional in the country State/UT-wise including Jharkhand along with the funds allocated/released/utilized for National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) and National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE); and

(d) whether the Government proposes to introduce counselling sessions in Schools, Offices and other institutions for addressing mental stigma, if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)
(a): As per Dementia India Report, 2010 brought out by Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India (ARDSI), in India there were over 3.7 million persons estimated with dementia (2.1 million women and 1.5 million men). This figure is expected to double every 20 years. A major proportion of these patients suffer from Alzheimer disease.

As per the report of the National Mental Health Survey, the current prevalence of mental disorders including common mental disorders, severe mental disorders, and alcohol and substance use disorders (excluding tobacco use disorder) in adults over the age of 18 years is about 10.6%.



(b) to (d): To address the burden of mental disorders, the Government of India is implementing the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) and the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP). Funds have been released for 339 districts in the country under the DMHP for detection, management and treatment of mental disorders/ illness. With the objective to address the shortage of mental health professionals in the country, establishment of 18 Centres of Excellence in Mental Health and strengthening/ establishment of 39 Post Graduate training departments in mental health specialties have been funded to increase the PG training capacity in mental health as well as improving the tertiary care treatment facility. Besides, three Central Institutions viz. National Institute of Mental Health And Neuro Sciences, Bangalore, Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Regional Institute of Mental Health, Tezpur and Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi have been strengthened for augmenting the human resources in the area of mental health and for capacity building in the country.

During the 12th Five Year Plan, the DMHP has been restructured to include additional components like suicide prevention services, work place stress management, life skills training and counselling in schools and colleges. Support is also provided for Central/ State Mental Health Authorities, Research and Training and Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities.

The details of funds released under the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) and National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE) are at Annexure.