NITI Aayog member VK Paul launches workshop on mental health.
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NITI Aayog member VK Paul launches workshop on mental health.
Dr. VK Paul, the Member (Health) of NITI Aayog, inaugurated a crucial two-day National Workshop on Mental Health on Thursday. The workshop aims to bring together senior officers from all states and mentoring institutes for TeleMANAS to address the mental health issues in the nation. This marks a significant step towards fortifying the mental health infrastructure in India.
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Dr. Paul also announced the integration of TeleMANAS and the KIRAN Mental Health Rehabilitation Helpline. Since its launch in September 2020 alongside TeleManas, the National Tele Mental Health Helpline, the KIRAN Mental Health Rehabilitation Helpline has assisted over 1,27,390 callers, as reported by the Ministry of Health.
Since its launch on October 10, 2022, World Mental Health Day, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s Tele-Manas has handled 6,75,000 calls and witnessed a substantial increase in service seekers, according to government sources. VK Paul By facilitating a seamless transition and promoting widespread public awareness about the merger process, the two entities aim to optimize resources, enhance service quality, and meet India’s growing demand for mental health support.
The Health Ministry revealed that calls from KIRAN will be directed to TeleMANAS for the next three months, after which the original helpline will be phased out gradually.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Paul emphasized the need for a “Jan Andolan” (people’s movement), urging the public, NGOs, and the government to collectively raise awareness about mental health issues. He stressed the importance of a united effort involving the government, communities, NGOs, and individuals to make India a mentally healthy nation.
Dr. Paul highlighted that the workshop will play a crucial role in identifying strategies to address mental health concerns through the nation’s network of advanced primary healthcare facilities, the Ayushman Aarogya Mandir. He expressed optimism about the powerful structure of the Ayushman Arogya Mandir being instrumental in reaching all corners of the country.
Dr. Rajesh Aggarwal suggested creative approaches, such as special education and appropriate care and treatment, to address mental health concerns in children. Three handbooks were released during the event: the Central Mental Health Authority’s Training Manual for Mental Healthcare Professionals, the Manual for Caregivers and Reference, and the Training Manual for Implementation of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017. VK Paul These handbooks aim to be essential tools for understanding the complex provisions of the Mental Healthcare Act of 2017, providing comprehensive guidance for legal aid providers, mental health practitioners, and caregivers involved in mental health care in India.
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