INDIA
Faced with shortage of manpower for treatment of mental illnesses, the government is working towards increasing the number of professionals required to facilitate medical help
Faced with shortage of manpower for treatment of mental illnesses, the government is working towards increasing the number of professionals required to facilitate medical help for those affected by such diseases.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has already set up 11 centres of excellence and 23 departments of psychiatry in various government medical colleges across the country, to help create more trained manpower in this regard.
"The creation of these centres of excellence and departments of psychiatry will help create more seats for professionals required to treat patients with mental illness," said Sujaya Krishnan, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
She said nine more such departments were in the process of being set up in the country. Though the ministry has set a target to establish 120 such departments by the end of the 11th Plan, the aim is unlikely to be achieved till next year.
With this, two new seats for MD in psychiatry in these centres of excellence and 8 seats for M Phil in clinical psychology and psychiatric social work, besides 20 seats for diplomas in psychiatric nursing are being created in each of the new departments of psychiatry in medical colleges.
As per estimates, the treatment gap of common mental disorders is about 80-90 per cent in developing countries and that for severe mental disorders is approximately 50 per cent in developing countries, even as mental illnesses are the major causes of suicides across the globe.
There is a one to two per cent prevalence of severe mental illness in India, while the overall lifetime prevalence rate of mental disorders is 10 to 12 per cent.
With only about 4,500 psychiatrists across the country (as registered with the Indian Psychiatrist Society), there is a considerable gap in the availability of trained manpower in the country.
To highlight and sensitise the people on mental health problems which pose a big challenge, the National Mental Health Programme of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, is organising a series of activities during the Mental Health Week being observed between October 10 and 17.
These activities are part of a pilot awareness campaigns to increase public knowledge on mental health to empower citizens to recognise, accept and support action; to break the stigma that surround and confound mental health problems. The Public Health Foundation of India is a key partner in conceptualising and implementing these activities.
To draw public attention to a spectrum of mental health issues, a Festival of Creative Expressions on Mental Health -"Uniting Hearts and Minds", is being organised between October 10 and 11 at India International Centre in New Delhi, where which films will be screened, discussions at expert levels will be held and student-led performances given.
As a run-up to the Festival, street plays are being organised in north and northwest parts of Delhi. In addition, the MF Hussain Art Gallery at Jamia Millia Islamia will showcase an exhibition of student paintings and photographs on the issue between October 10 and 17.
Reflecting on the impact of mental health as a serious health problem, Keshav Desiraju, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said, "We must work together to remove the stigma associated with mental illness. Persons with such illness need care, treatment and affection. This is the message that young people attending this festival must take away with them."
SEBI's first reaction on Gautam Adani bribery case, begins inquiry into...
Meet Hyderabad girl who began NEET preparation in class 7, scored 99.9 percentile, secured AIR...
Badshah breaks his silence on dating rumours with Pakistani star Hania Aamir: ‘We have a lot of…’
Delhi pollution: Air quality deteriorates to 'severe' category in Delhi-NCR; AQI at 419
'I think bro is her EX': Man performs risky bike stunt with burqa-clad woman in Bangladesh, watch
Viral video: Little girl's power-packed dance to 'beer song' melts hearts online, watch
Explained: Why India must win the 1st Test against Australia in Perth
Raima Sen mourns Bharat Dev Varma's demise, pens emotional note for 'great father, great husband'
DNA TV Show: Ahead of Maharashtra poll results, MVA, Mahayuti engage in resort politics
Maharashtra: Stage set for assembly poll results; Mahayuti, MVA confident of their victories
All set for vote counting in Jharkhand tomorrow; NDA, JMM-led alliances confident of winning
Watch: Australia star inquires Rishabh Pant about his next IPL team, gets 2-word reply
Shah Rukh Khan’s house Mannat was first offered to his industry rival…, but he refused because...
The Visionary Who Promises a Blue Sky for India: Holger Thorsten Schubart’s G20 Climate Speech
The Surge of High-End Living: Luxury Residential Market to Outpace Other Segments
FeFCon 2024 to be Held in Bangalore: A Premier Event on Fever Management
'That’s wild': Noida man turns cigarette butts into teddy bears in viral video, watch
London Airport evacuates passengers over security threat, thousands stranded
The World’s First Innovative Iron Supplement to Combat Iron Deficiency and Anaemia
Meet grandmother who became fashion icon after trying on her granddaughter’s clothes
IND vs AUS: Rishabh Pant joins Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma in elite WTC list, becomes 3rd Indian to...
'All scripted drama...': Puneet Superstar allegedly assaulted by influencers in viral video, watch
Actress Ana de Armas caught kissing Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel’s son in viral photos
Oreshnik's Shadow: Will Russia's hypersonic missile force west to back down?
‘You’re So Beautiful’: World’s tallest woman meets world’s shortest woman over tea, pics go viral
Delhi-NCR Air Pollution: Consequences of GRAP-4 are drastic, may have adverse effects, says SC
Delhi-NCR Air Pollution: Schools likely to stay closed till..., check city-wise update
Maharashtra: 3 killed, 9 hospitalised after gas leak at fertiliser plant in Sangli
THIS farm is selling a cup of coffee for Rs 28000, but there's a twist, it is...
Chhattisgarh: 10 Maoists killed after encounter with security personnel in Sukma
Mukesh Ambani's SUPERHIT plan for Jio users, offers unlimited 5G access for 1 year for just Rs...
IND vs AUS 1st Test: KL Rahul's dismissal sparks DRS controversy in Perth Test
Dense fog, heavy rain predicted in these states till November 25; check here
Oreshnik Hypersonic Missile: Which nations are within its range?
Bihar teacher, principal reach school in drunken state; know what happened next
'I have faced a lot of...': Arjun Kapoor REVEALS his biggest fear amid break up with Malaika Arora
How millions of Indians may get affected due to US indictment of Gautam Adani in bribery case
Amid divorce rumours with Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan says 'missing someone is okay but...'
After Bibles, watches and sneakers, Donald Trump is now selling autographed guitars, price is...
Delhi pollution: Air quality improves to ‘very poor’ category, AQI at...
Vladimir Putin's BIG threat, warns he could strike UK with new ballistic missile if...
Shillong Teer Results TODAY November 22, 2024 Live Updates: Check winning numbers here