The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): Dr. V K Paul, Member (Health) of NITI Aayog, has set in motion a two-day National Workshop on Mental Health in the capital. This conference, attended by senior officials from states and mentoring institutes, is geared towards bolstering mental health initiatives across India. Dr. Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, was also in attendance.
A pivotal announcement was the merger of the KIRAN Mental Health Rehabilitation Helpline with the TeleMANAS platform, a move designed to streamline resources and enhance the quality of mental health services. KIRAN has been operational since September 2020, aiding over 1,27,390 callers, while TeleMANAS, inaugurated on World Mental Health Day in October 2022, has already received 6,75,000 calls. The integration of these services is expected to better meet the growing demand for mental health support in the nation.
Dr. Paul commended the merger, highlighting its potential to alleviate the burden on the system and improve accessibility for those in need. He also underlined the necessity of a comprehensive and robust healthcare system to address mental health concerns, calling for a ‘Jan Andolan’ or public movement to sensitize and mobilize nationwide support for mental health.
Dr. Aggarwal pointed out the need for innovative methods, including special education and attentive care, to mitigate mental health issues among children. He expressed his gratitude for the timely integration of the KIRAN Helpline with TeleMANAS by the Union Health Ministry.
The workshop also saw the release of three manuals aimed at demystifying the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, for legal aid providers, caregivers, and mental healthcare professionals. These resources are intended to facilitate a better understanding and implementation of the Act’s provisions.
Over the course of the workshop, various sessions will cover policy reviews, mindfulness, the integration of mental health in primary care, global best practices, and the future direction of TeleMANAS, with expert panel discussions led by representatives from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the World Health Organization.
Present at the event were Ms. L S Changsan, Additional Secretary and Mission Director of MoHFW; Ms. Indrani Kaushal, Economic Advisor of MoHFW; Dr. Roderico H Ofrin, WHO Representative to India; Dr. B. N Gangadhar, Chairman of the National Medical Council; Dr. Pratima Murthy, Director of NIMHANS, and other esteemed officials and experts in mental health.
The workshop represents a significant stride in India’s commitment to enhancing mental health care and awareness, aligning with global standards and practices.