Context:  NITI Aayog organized a National Workshop on "Strengthening Mental Health Services and Care in India" at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore.

Objective:

The purpose of the workshop was to elicit the views of States and other stakeholders on existing gaps and challenges under the District Mental Health Program (DMHP) and also to learn from the States, their best practices, which can further be replicated in other States/UTs with their own contextualization.

Key highlights:

• The workshop was conducted as a part of the NITI–State workshop series, an initiative under the State Support Mission (SSM).
• A detailed presentation by MoHFW, highlighting the present scenario of the National and District Mental Health Program and the upcoming proposed strategies to strengthen its implementation. 
• A detailed presentation by Director, NIMHANS, elaborating the challenges, experiences and way forward under the recently introduced component of Tele-MANAS.
• The delegates brought forth views on strengthening the District Mental Health Program, especially with respect to Infrastructure, HR, Training, Treatment and IEC; developing and scaling-up Primary Mental Healthcare through Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs; and rights of persons with mental illness, including reintegration, rehabilitation and empowerment.
• The participants from 31 States and UTs were instrumental in sharing views from the ground and immediate challenges that need to be addressed.

Status of mental healthcare in India:

• In India, over 80% of individuals do not avail mental health services, as reported by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences.
• This lack of access is attributed to various factors, including limited awareness, societal stigma, and the substantial financial burden associated with mental healthcare.
• The economic impact of mental health conditions in India is projected to reach USD 1.03 trillion between 2012 and 2030, as per the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates.

Solutions:

Convergent Model of Mental Health:

• Shift from the medical model to a convergent approach, considering various life factors influencing well-being.
• Implement holistic models like the 'Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child' approach in the US, focusing on nutrition, physical activity, and emotional health in schools.

Increased Mental Healthcare Infrastructure:

• Invest in building more mental health clinics and facilities, especially in rural and underserved areas.
• Train and recruit additional mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, and counselors.
• Promote telemedicine and online mental health services to enhance accessibility, especially in remote areas.

Integration with Primary Healthcare:

• Integrate mental health services into the existing primary healthcare system for early detection and treatment.
• Provide training for primary care providers to identify and manage common mental health issues.

Inclusion of Mental Health in Education:

• Incorporate mental health education into school curricula to promote early awareness and reduce stigma.

Mental Health Insurance Coverage:

• Expand mental health coverage under health insurance policies gradually to enhance affordability and accessibility.
• Implement policies ensuring insurance parity for mental health services.

The way forward is to develop an overarching and holistic vision for inclusive and efficient service delivery, adopt an integrative approach by converging aspects of traditional medicine, and augment the mental healthcare workforce by optimizing post-graduate seats in psychiatry, psychiatric social work, and clinical psychology.