Priority must for HRD in mental health care, delivery: Prez

Lauding the recently unveiled mental health policy, President Pranab Mukherjee today said that while formulating policy, government must always take care to ensure that due priority is given to human resource development in the field of mental health care and delivery.
"Today, there is an increasing realisation all over the world that there can be no health without mental health. Our country's first comprehensive mental health policy was notified only as recently as last October on the occasion of World Mental Health Day," Mukherjee said.
Expressing happiness that the policy covers several aspects of mental health, he said a bill on mental health care, currently under consideration in Parliament, also seeks to provide a robust legislative framework that assures standardised mental health services.

"I would stress that while formulating policy, our Government must always take care to ensure that due priority is given to human resource development in the field of mental health care and delivery. We also need to systematically devise
innovative methods for enhancing the delivery of mental health care services," he added.
Mukherjee was speaking after dedicating the National Institute of Mental Health And Neurological Sciences, to the nation as an institute of national importance.

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Mukherjee said he is glad to see that the National Mental Health Policy seeks to speedily integrate mental health care services into general health care as part of non-communicable disease.

"It is also an important priority to address the stigma experienced by persons who are mentally ill. They should not continue to be subjected to neglect and marginalisation," he added.
Stating that it is only appropriate that NIMHANS, located in the IT City should adopt modern, computer-based Hospital Information Systems to improve efficiencies in all its centres, the President said use of information technology to invigorate health care delivery also helps in reducing costs, optimising resource management and minimising paperwork.
Complimenting NIMHANS for the first-ever National Mental Health Survey it will undertake, he said "The outcome of this survey will, no doubt, be valuable input for enhancement of the standards and quality of health services in the country."

Mukherjee also said Indian mental health professionals have proven that community care of the mentally ill is a feasible and cost effective option. "This is a route that leads to significant recovery."
"Several models have shown that integration of mental health with primary health care, training of health functionaries, easier availability of essential drugs and better management are increasing effectiveness within resource constraints in India," he added.