Centre urges states, UTs to effectively address mental health issues

Sudan shared some of the steps taken by the Ministry to address them which include setting up of helpline

The Centre has urged states and Union Territories to put in place and strengthen mechanisms to spread awareness about rising psychosocial concerns among people during Covid-l9, saying acceptance of mental health issues is relatively low due to the stigma attached.

Asserting that mental health services including advocacy and awareness campaigns should essentially become part of the government's response to Covid-19, Union Health Secretary Preeti Sudan also stressed on the need to bring mental health issues to foreground and make them accepted as common ailments.

In a letter addressed to Chief Secretaries and the administrators of all states and UTs, Sudan said that