(a) whether the Government has conducted any census/survey of mental patients in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(
(c) the current status of mental health facilities in the country with regard to doctors, hospitals and availability of drugs;
(d) whether the Government has started any awareness programmes to tackle the growing mental illness; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. VALLABHBHAI KATHIRIA)
(a) & (b): More than 50 epidemiological surveys were conducted in the country by either psychiatric departments or institutions in the last 40 years. About 1% of the population suffers from a serious mental disorder such as psychotic disorders and 0.5% of the population may be in need of active treatment for a serious mental disorder. It is estimated that about 5% of the population suffers from various psychological disorder such as depression, neurotic, stress related and adjustment disorders. Between the age group of 4 and 16 years, about 1 to 2% are known to be suffering from mental retardation and 05% of the same age group suffers from serious mental retardation.
(c) There are over 18,000 beds for psychiatric patients spread across 37 Government mental hospitals/hospitals affiliated to the medical colleges. There are over 3000 qualified psychiatrists, 500 clinical psychologists, 300 psychiatric social workers and about 600 trained psychiatric nurses in the country. Availability of psychotropic drugs is satisfactory and the cost of such drugs is reasonable/affordable.
(d) and (e): The Government have formulated the National Mental Health Programme during the Tenth Five Year Plan to promote mental health care throughout the country, one of main components of the programme is to undertake IEC activities at the national level for which an amount of Rs.10 crores has been earmarked. District Mental Health Programme which provides community based services also has a component to spread awareness at the district level.