(a) the details of the Mental Health Policy formulated by the Government ;
(b) the area/cases of mental health identified by the Government, State-wise;
(c) whether the Government has made budgetary provision of Rs.190 /- crores for the year 2004-2005 ; and
(d) if so, the State-wise allocation and utilization of the funds so far?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE ( SMT. PANABAKA LAKSHMI)
(a) to (d): It is estimated that about 5% of the population suffers from various psychological disorders such as depression, neurotic, stress related and adjustment disorders. 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. However, data relating to the number of persons suffering from mental illness State-wise is not centrally maintained at present.
In order to provide increased access and better facilities of health care for the mentally ill persons, the Government of India has formulated a comprehensive National Mental Health Programme for implementation during the 10th Five Year Plan with an outlay of Rs.139 crores. The programme envisages expansion of District Mental Health Programme, which provides for early diagnosis and treatment at the community level, from the existing 27 districts to cover 100 districts in the country, upgradation of facilities of all the 37 Government run mental hospitals, psychiatric wings of 75 medical colleges, IEC activities and Research and Training.
An amount of upto Rs.3 crores for upgradation of mental hospitals, upto Rs.50 lakhs for strengthening of psychiatric wings in the medical colleges and an amount of Rs. 110.50 lakhs (for 5 years) per district under District Mental Health Programme are provided for. Funds are sanctioned to the States under various components on the basis of actual requirement and preparedness.
Out of the proposals received from various State Governments and Union Territories, 48 new districts have been included under District Mental Health Programme so far and funds released @ Rs.26.20 lakhs per district for the first year. Funds have also been sanctioned in respect of three medical colleges at Kozhikode, Thrissur and Thiruvananthapuram in the State of Kerala for strengthening psychiatric wings. Funds will be released for remaining proposals relating to District Mental Health Programme, strengthening of psychiatric wings of medical colleges and up-gradation of mental hospitals, subject to technical appraisal and availability of funds.