Question : MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMMES POLICY

(a) the present status of implementation of the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) and the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) indicating the funds earmarked, allocated and utilised thereunder during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;

(b) the major activities undertaken and the achievements made as a result thereof under NMHP and DMHP during the said period, State/UT-wise;

(c) whether the Government proposes to revamp the said programmes in order to develop a comprehensive mental health action plan;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the progress made in framing a Mental Health Policy for India, with reference to the resolution on mental disorders recently adopted at the World Health Assembly?

MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)

(a)to(e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.317 FOR 14TH DECEMBER, 2012

(a)&(b): To address the huge burden of mental disorders and acute shortage of qualified professionals in the field of mental health, Government of India is implementing the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) since 1982 with the following components:

i. District Mental Health Programme

ii. Up-gradation of Psychiatric Wings of Govt. Medical Colleges

iii. Modernization of Government Mental Hospitals

During the 11th Five Year Plan, the NMHP had been restructured to include Manpower Development Schemes.

Under the Manpower Development Scheme (Scheme-A), 11 Centres of Excellence in the field of mental health have been taken up in the country.

Under Manpower Development Scheme (Scheme-B), support has been provided to 27 PG Departments in mental health specialties viz. Psychiatry (7 Departments), Clinical Psychology (7 Departments), Psychiatric Social Work (6 Departments) and Psychiatric Nursing (7 Departments).

As a result of implementation of Manpower Development Schemes (Scheme – A and Scheme - B) in the country, a total of 151 new PG seats in mental health specialties have been created in the supported Institutes.

Further, the following achievements have been made,

I. District Mental Health Programme with added components of Life Skills Education and Counselling in Schools and Colleges, suicide prevention services etc. is currently under implementation in 123 Districts of the country.

II. Up-gradation of 88 Psychiatric Wings of Government Medical College has been supported under the scheme

III. Modernization of 29 Government Mental Hospitals has been supported under the scheme.

The details of funds allocated and utilised under NMHP during last three financial years and the current financial year is at Annexure – I. The details of funds released under NMHP Scheme wise/ State wise/ UT wise during the last three years and the current year is at Annexure – II.

(c)&(d): The 12th Plan proposal for NMHP aims at focusing on the functional and service delivery aspects of NMHP. It will emphasise on integration of mental health with general health, availability of mental health professionals, promotion of community participation in service delivery etc.

(e) The Government has constituted a Policy Group to work on framing a Mental Health Policy for India keeping in mind internationally accepted guidelines and also the specific context of mental illness in India.