If you wish to write to us you can email us at :
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Maps
Government Mental Hospitals in India
Maps
Districts with DMHP
Maps
NGOs in India by State
If you wish to write to us you can email us at :
mentalhealthpolicy@gmail.com
Government Mental Hospitals in India
Districts with DMHP
NGOs in India by State
MENTAL HEALTH POLICY GROUP 
It is indeed heartening to know of the efforts to create a comprehensive mental health policy for India. Are any measures to safeguard and enhance the mental health of mental health professionals in India being considered in this policy? I believe that this is a very important area to focus on though often neglected. I wish to know if there are any existing standards or procedures relating to the same. I am currently researching the area and would be grateful for any information that is available.
State-run Mental hospitals/mental health institutions – 43 all over the country
289 Departments of Psychiatry in Medical Colleges incl. approx. 85 PG departments
Approx. 30000 psychiatric beds
Approx 3000 psychiatrists, 500 clinical psychologists, 300 PSW, 900 Psychiatric nurses (based in urban areas mainly).In addition, there are general hospitals with psychiatry departments.
Neuropsychiatry disorders account for 12% of the Global Disease Burden (World Health Report, 2001)
Burden of these disorders is likely to increase to 15% by 2020 (World Health Report, 2001.
Another fact -For two decades, medical professionals, the public, and public health policy officials who determine the allocation of public funds for healthcare, have been misled about the safety and benefits of psychiatric drugs–in particular, the newer, expensive drugs, the so-called SSRI antidepressants, and the new neuroleptics, marketed as ‘atypical antipsychotics’.they published their results as- “examined the evidence and found that current psychiatric drug prescribing practices are of little, if any, therapeutic value. But since the drugs pose serious risks of harm by triggering drug-induced (iatrogenic) illness–which significantly increases healthcare costs.” Published in The Alliance for Human Research Protection. these facts are not included to defame any system of medicine but i just want to drag your attention towards other systems of medicine also that can provide good results in mental health.
Though rooted in India ,AYURVEDA, still finds itself in a land of uncertainties.Psychiatric practices are existing in India even before modern psychiatry came into existence. In rural India, still the psychiatric practices are existing in the form of occult practices, rituals etc The first sloka itself learnt by each and everyone of an Ayurvedic graduate goes like this-“Ragadi rogan sahajan samulan…namostu tasmai”(A.Hr.Su.1/1)and “Ragadi” means desires and all other mental faculties.So i do feel that we all are forgetting this simple fact and are not giving Manasa roga the importance that it deserves.Since the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has taken up this job of reframing the Mental Health Policy, i humbly request that Ayurveda Manasa Roga approved by AYUSH and CCIM be kindly included in this policy.At the end of the day its all about the health of an individual and thus any system of medicine which has got any role in prevention or cure of Mental health should be given equal opportunity to help the needy.
I hearty congratulate to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for taking up this initiative and appointing a Policy Group to prepare a National Mental Health Policy and Plan.
Good to know the initiation has been taken by the govt to re frame the mental health policy. As in country like india one or the other person would have been faced any of the psychiatric illness in his life time and some are gone unnoticed, some are untreated and only some percentage of people come under medical conscious but the fate is we are not reaching to their hands, as the availability of professional help for psychiatric complaints is miles apart considering the need at this point of time in our country.
Psychiatric practices are existing in India even before modern psychiatry came into existence. In rural India, still the psychiatric practices are existing in the form of occult practices, rituals etc. AYURVEDA popularly known as ancient medical science, internationally known as INDIAN SYSTEM OF MEDICINE also has specialities in psychiatry, which is known as MANASA ROGA, approved by AYUSH & CCIM,. which can effectively help in prevention and cure of mental disorders. Even in other systems like YOGA , SIDDHA , UNANI, HOMEOPATHY etc also there is effective management for mental disorders.
When all these sciences are working for the upliftment of an individual why not considering them under mental health policy???????????
Are we really looking forward for the benefit of society or ??????????????
So to cope up with the issues in society we need to put forth some sincere efforts in field of psychiatry and consider the available sources which promptly helping in treating complaints related to psychiatry. Many expert post graduates in Manasa roga(ayurveda) are working hard in treating psychiatric illness. And so my humble request and urges to add Ayurveda Manasa Roga Post Graduates in the State Mental Health Committee and also give equal consideration in the bill.
We hope you consider our request and help in betterment in the field of psychiatry in future.
Hearty congratulations to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for taking up this initiative and appointing a Policy Group to prepare a National Mental Health Policy and Plan.Psychiatric practices are existing in India even before modern psychiatry came into existence. In rural India, still the psychiatric practices are existing in the form of occult practices, rituals etc. In Ayurvedic education system, post graduation in Ayurveda Manasa Roga(Psychiatry) has been started by the Govt. of India since 1992. Since then many post graduate scholars have come out and practicing ayurvedic psychiatry effectively. In the National Health Services, Ayurveda is also an important health system which is imparting effective health services to the mankind. As Ayurveda is getting importance globally, even the psychiatric practices in Ayurveda are very effective and the Ayurvedic Psychiatrist should be considered as equal to the contemporary psychiatrist and in the forthcoming Mental Health Care Act, equal importance must be given to Ayurveda Manasa Roga Post Graduates. They are trained in all aspects of Psychology, psychiatry and the treatment techniques and even to handle the emergency cases. As while forming the previous Mental Health Act-1987, separate Ayurveda post graduation was not there, now it’s the time to incorporate them under this bill which will help in improving the mental health services. This is my humble request and urges to add Ayurveda Manasa Roga Post Graduates in the State Mental Health Committee and also give equal consideration in the bill.
Good to know the initiation taken by the govt to re frame the mental health policy.
a known fact that the availability of professional help for psychiatric complaints is miles apart considering the need at this point of time in our country.
bringing to the notice of the team behind this program ,that even in indigenous system there is effective management methodologies for psychiatric disorders. why not utilising it ????
Ayurveda, internationally known as INDIAN SYSTEM OF MEDICINE also has specialities in psychiatry, which is known as MANASA ROGA, approved by AYUSH & CCIM,. which can effectively help in prevention and cure of mental disorders.
Even in other systems like YOGA , SIDDHA , UNANI, HOMEOPATHY etc also there is effective management for mental disorders.. why not including efficient and eminent health professionals from these systems in this policy group???
Want proof for the effectiveness of these systems ??? if not WHY should KERALA GOVT has an AYURVEDIC MENTAL HOSPITAL at KOTTAKKAL , and approve AYURVEDA In its STATE MENTAL HEALTH POLICY ?? SVYASA at BANGALORE is a world renowned Yoga centre effectively treating mental disorders , NIMHANS at bangalore having an AYURVEDIC and YOGA WING and they are promoting ayurveda and yoga for research in psychiatry.
Though rooted in India ,AYURVEDA , Is THE NATIONAL SYSTEM OF MEDICINE in SRI LANKA ., and still not even considered to be a part in even Mental Health Policy , of India.
??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
AYUSH & CCIM not under the INDIAN GOVERNMENT ????
Something must be done…. already you and we are late..
Dear Drs. Rinjin Krishna, Abhinandan Patil, and Drishya Ravindran,
Thank you for your posting regarding AYUSH and the need for culturally relevant mental health programmes for the country.
I am interested to discuss with you.
Could you kindly share your email and phone numbers to contact you?
My phone numbers are: 080 2663 7995 and Mobile 0944 869 7690. Email: smurthy030@gmail.com
Look forward to interact with you all.
best wishes,
Prof.R.Srinivasa Murthy , Bangalore.
Hearty congratulations to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for taking up this initiative and appointing a Policy Group to prepare a National Mental Health Policy and Plan.Mental health programmes. India needs cultural and social tuning with close perception of changing socioeconomic siuation.It can not be copycat programmes of west. My humble request to the policy framing group is how the policy is going to be implemented in the ground should be a focus area. As the Mental health policy group has for the first time a user and carer as members, we the user and carer group expect something more tangible.
India is the land of Ayurveda, and our health Ministry has got a separate department of AYUSH( Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) but none of the experts in this field are included in this policy framing group. We normally learn from westerners when they rediscover our Vedic medicines. At least this should not be the scenario this time. At the end of the day its all about the health of an individual and thus any system of medicine which has got any role in prevention or cure of Mental health should be given equal opportunity to help the needy.
I hope my humble request will be taken care of and AYUSH approved M.D.Manasa roga(Ayurvedic Psychiatry) will be included under the Mental Health Policy for the future.
Many many congratulations to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for taking up this initiative and appointing a Policy Group to prepare a National Mental Health Policy and Plan. I have few questions and suggestions regarding the planning & implementation of this program. Why aren’t the postgraduates from AYUSH ( Ayurveda,Unani,Siddah and Homeopathy) not considered under the DMHP clinical team? Health Ministry has got a separate department of AYUSH but none of the experts of Ayush are included in this policy framing group. We normally follow westerns but Mental health planning & implementation of program in India need cultural and social tuning too. It should not be photocopy of western nations.
Ayurveda is the most ancient science of healing, founded around 5000 years ago in India, and currently recognized and practiced in India. Much of it is in Sanskrit language which is not in general use. As a result, many modern medical scientists are not acquainted with approaches of Ayurveda. Ayurveda is not only a system of medicine, but it is also a science of life. So Ayurveda not only can cure mental illnesses but also can be used to prevent “Mental illness”. I feel most people don’t realize the importance of Ayurveda in mental health . In last 20 years, teaching and training in Ayurvedic psychiatry specialty have now been developed. The PG degree course i.e. M.D. Ayurveda (Mano Vigyan Avum Manasa Roga) is of three years duration leading to specialization in Psychiatry and is being recognized by C.C.I.M. (constituted under IMCC Act 1970 by Government of India) and Dept. of AYUSH, Union Govt. of India and conducted throughout the country various Ayurvedic Medical Colleges and Universities. More than 110 post graduates perceived M.D. (Mano Vigyan Avum Manas Roga – Psychiatry) and practicing psychiatry in Govt. And private sector in different states of country and helping and developing the system and benefit the public by using their special competencies and skills for decades. But I think this potential is ignored by policy making group. Government Ayurveda Mental Hospital(50 beded), Kottakkal, Kerala and Advanced center for Ayurveda in Mental Health & Neuro Science, Bangalore (NIMHANS) are the Government Centers, where mental disorders are treated with Ayurvedic medicines & treatment procedures both at outpatient and inpatient level.
So Ayurvedic faculty can play important role in national mental health policy and mental health care act in terms of manpower as they are trained with integrated (Allopath and Ayurveda ) approach and are equally efficient in dealing with mental / psychiatric disorders . Ayurvedic psychiatrist is a important part in mental health care system but Authentication is needed from Government to practice or provide the much needed assistance in the field of psychiatry. There is great need to integrate and involve other programme areas and specialties as integration is need of nation.
AYUSH and Allopathic, both systems, often provide solutions to a common set of problems. Many times both systems complement each other also. Both systems expand and progress together, based on their core competencies and inherent strengths. Government must ensure that the Mental health care system in the country is designed and developed in such a way that, both, AYUSH and allopathic systems are available to every patient and the choice between both the systems of treatment must be given to the patient, based, of course, on set protocols.
I am sure that Health ministry and Mental health policy group will be aware of this issue and it will be taken care of.
It is heartening to learn about this new initiative taken up by the ministry of health. After going through the draft, i have few questions and suggestions regarding the planning & implementation of this programme . Why aren’t the postgraduates from alternative systems of medicines not considered under the DMHP clinical team? The system of Ayurveda also have specialization in psychiatry – MD (Mano vigyan evam Manasarog) with 3years course duration.I strongly believe that the Ayurvedic faculty can play a vital role in providing the much needed support in form of manpower as well as efficacy to the DMPH. Where there is evident shortage of manpower in ensuring facilities for better mental health,it is unfair that several eligible professionals are forced to stay away from action & instead turn to general practice or academics. A lot of potential is thus being ignored or wasted , which can be made use of more intelligently by allowing specialists (related to mental health care) from other indian sytem of medicines as well for the benefit of the patients.
Mental health programmes in India needs cultural and social tuning with close perception of changing socioeconomic siuation.It can not be copycat programmes of west.
What is the update of the activities of the Group?
No posting of reports since nearly one year.
Prof.R.Srinivasa Murthy
i have so many questions to ask to committee. .
One question regarding ‘Models of community care of persons living with mental illness’ or persons with mental health conditions?
If we are restricting models to persons with mental illness/persons with psychosocial disabilities, then would not we again be prioritizing persons with SMD’s?
What are the criterion one is looking for in community models of mental health care?
Innovative? (may be in idea, strategy)
Reach?
Impact?
Sustainability?
Ashoka Innovators for the public, a global network of social entepreneurs has a Law for All initiative. They conducted a two day consultation in capturing knowledge from the ground on models of community care in Mental Health. It would be helpful if one can just go through that report. Report is available for reading.
Thanks
At the outset, many many congratulation for taking this initiative.
Just a quick introduction as to who I am:
A trained psychologist, mental health activist, Ashoka Fellow, Founder Trustee of Anjali Mental Health Rights Organization based in Calcutta. For more than ten years we have been working towards ushering in systemic changes in the sphere of mental health care and treatment.
Anjali, has been continuously engaging with communities we work for and with, our observation is: DMHP programme here has left us disappointed and has been of little success.
It is another story. Should bring it up another time, in another space.
Taking opportunity of this space, I would like to share couple of thoughts:-
OPERATIONALIZING of DMHP is very important for its sucess.
would be useful to think through the details. Firming up underlying values and CRPD alignment.
Templatizing 1 year goal for this initiative, like a) Who are stake holders, b) What would be the activities under each stakeholders, c) Who will be the key responsible persons, d) Timelines, and e) Outcomes that we are expecting from this.
One area of discomfort has been ‘integration’- Integration with what? NHRM? PHC’s? or create a brand new cohort? More deep diving on this part.
The other area that needs a shift is the present status of ‘pills’ – silencing voices of communities- Let us ensure participation.Let us create a mechanism to bring those people who are yet to understand, articulate emotional, psychological distress, those who are in need of facilitation to ‘come out’.
Some more thoughts and ideas may come along…..
Till then, best wishes to this team!
Looking forward to a gendered, progressive policy for our country.
Ratnaboli Ray- Anjali Mental Health Rights Organization, Calcutta
We have big hopes from the committee. Hope these are fulfilled soon.
Javed Ahhmad Tak
Bijbehara Kashmir
It is very good news that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has set up this initiative, with a broad based TOR for the group. We congratulate the Ministry for taking up these efforts, and wish Dr. Keshav Desiraju the best in mentoring the group and society at large to address the issues of the Rights of Persons living with a mental illness and their families.
The group does not seem to have many members who are crucial to its effectiveness. Among them, I only include-
– Stalwarts like Dr. Kishore who has been so committed to the NMHP and local DMHPs throughout their career
– Senior psychiatrists who have experience of public health psychiatry
– Users and survivors of psychiatry who are informed politically and are quite vocal and functioning as self advocates in the country [A more substantial representation by the user survivor group and by persons with disabilities must be mandatory.]
– Health policy researchers, analysts and policy makers particularly on gender and health
– There aren’t many women on the committee either!
– Lawyers and law advocates such as Dr. Amita Dhanda since there is an active interphase with the law
– Disability activists such as Javed Abidi, Mahesh Chandrasekhar, Pavan Muntha, Rajive Raturi and others, who have emphasised that the disability sector needs an overall commitment from the health ministry.
Best,
Bhargavi.