India needs 3 psychiatrists per lakh population, has only 0.7

NEW DELHI: India has only about 0.7 mental health professionals for every one lakh persons when the standard guidelines suggest that there should be at least three psychiatrists per one lakh population.

On the occasion of World Mental Health Day on Tuesday, Niti Aayog member (health) Dr V K Paul said that postgraduate medical seats in psychiatry need to be increased to augment the required manpower.

He also stressed on the need to train healthcare workers manning the Ayushman Bharat - Health and Wellness Centre (AB-HWCs) to counsel people suffering from common mental health disorders and to know when to transfer a patient to a higher centre.

"Anxiety, depression and sleep disturbance are some of the common mental health disorders. We need to equip AB-HWCs that are widespread across states to manage these common conditions," Dr Paul said, while addressing a mental health conclave organised by the Union health ministry on Tuesday.

Union health minister Mansukh Mandaivya said the use of digital technology in mental health is a force multiplier. Tele-Manas, a government run tele-mental health helpline has counselled more than 3.5 lakh people till date and currently provides counselling to 2,000 people through 44 Tele Manas Cells. More than 1,000 calls are being received on this helpline every day, Mandaviya said.

The Tele-Manas Seva was launched last year onWorld Mental Health Day. Mandaviya also commemorated the states/UT on their performance, and they were awarded certificate of appreciation with memento for achieving the highest number of calls in the National Tele Mental Health Programme.