BMJ 2014;349:g6471 doi: 10.1136/bmj.g6471 (Published 27 October 2014)
Page 1 of 1
News
NEWS India launches mental health policy to improve access to services Sanjeet Bagcchi Kolkata
The Indian government has launched its first mental health policy to facilitate universal access to services. Until now access had been available only to the richest people in society, said health minister Harsh Vardhan.
The new policy, launched on 10 October, also aims to improve the understanding of mental health across India and to strengthen leadership in the field of mental healthcare in the country. It is backed by the Mental Health Action Plan 365, which defines the specific roles of the central government, the state governments, local bodies, and civil society organisations.1 “Poverty and mental ill health are inextricably linked in a negative vicious cycle. Persons from lower socioeconomic groups are more vulnerable to mental health problems. Out-of-pocket health spending to access mental health services and lost productivity due to disability can also lead to poverty,” said the policy.2
Vardhan said, “A policy group worked dedicatedly to develop its recommendations. I thank them for recognising that the vast majority of the mentally ill people in India live in the villages, and there is literally no care available for them.” He added, “The bi-directional relationship of mental ill health and poverty is evident in many reports, including the World Disability Report 2010, which places persons with mental disabilities at the bottom
of the pyramid. This alerts us to what could become a health crisis with damaging consequences for society.”
Several strategic areas for action were identified in the policy. These included effective governance and accountability, promotion of mental health, prevention of mental disorders and suicide, universal access to mental health services, enhanced availability of human resources for mental health, and community participation.
Psychiatrists have welcomed the policy. Soumitra Datta, senior consultant psychiatrist at the Tata Medical Center, Kolkata, said that the policy was “a commendable effort” by the government and a group of mental health professionals. He told The BMJ that the policy “is broad based and has correctly identified marginalised groups as those who are economically poor, homeless individuals, children, the elderly caregivers, and mentally ill people in custody. The policy also touches on the need to have well organised, accessible, and good quality services throughout the country.” 1 2
Press Information Bureau. Government of India. Country’s first ever mental health policy unveiled. 10 Oct 2014. http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=110417. Government of India. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. National mental health policy. Oct 2014. http://mohfw.gov.in/index1.php?lang=1&level=2&sublinkid=4523&lid=2964.
Cite this as: BMJ 2014;349:g6471 © BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 2014
For personal use only: See rights and reprints http://www.bmj.com/permissions
Subscribe: http://www.bmj.com/subscribe
Page 1 of 1
News
NEWS India launches mental health policy to improve access to services Sanjeet Bagcchi Kolkata
The Indian government has launched its first mental health policy to facilitate universal access to services. Until now access had been available only to the richest people in society, said health minister Harsh Vardhan.
The new policy, launched on 10 October, also aims to improve the understanding of mental health across India and to strengthen leadership in the field of mental healthcare in the country. It is backed by the Mental Health Action Plan 365, which defines the specific roles of the central government, the state governments, local bodies, and civil society organisations.1 “Poverty and mental ill health are inextricably linked in a negative vicious cycle. Persons from lower socioeconomic groups are more vulnerable to mental health problems. Out-of-pocket health spending to access mental health services and lost productivity due to disability can also lead to poverty,” said the policy.2
Vardhan said, “A policy group worked dedicatedly to develop its recommendations. I thank them for recognising that the vast majority of the mentally ill people in India live in the villages, and there is literally no care available for them.” He added, “The bi-directional relationship of mental ill health and poverty is evident in many reports, including the World Disability Report 2010, which places persons with mental disabilities at the bottom
of the pyramid. This alerts us to what could become a health crisis with damaging consequences for society.”
Several strategic areas for action were identified in the policy. These included effective governance and accountability, promotion of mental health, prevention of mental disorders and suicide, universal access to mental health services, enhanced availability of human resources for mental health, and community participation.
Psychiatrists have welcomed the policy. Soumitra Datta, senior consultant psychiatrist at the Tata Medical Center, Kolkata, said that the policy was “a commendable effort” by the government and a group of mental health professionals. He told The BMJ that the policy “is broad based and has correctly identified marginalised groups as those who are economically poor, homeless individuals, children, the elderly caregivers, and mentally ill people in custody. The policy also touches on the need to have well organised, accessible, and good quality services throughout the country.” 1 2
Press Information Bureau. Government of India. Country’s first ever mental health policy unveiled. 10 Oct 2014. http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=110417. Government of India. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. National mental health policy. Oct 2014. http://mohfw.gov.in/index1.php?lang=1&level=2&sublinkid=4523&lid=2964.
Cite this as: BMJ 2014;349:g6471 © BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 2014
For personal use only: See rights and reprints http://www.bmj.com/permissions
Subscribe: http://www.bmj.com/subscribe
