Lok Sabha Question No. 1141 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-22
Subject: World Mental Health Day
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Heena Vijaykumar Gavit, DNV Senthilkumar. S., Vinayak Bhaurao Raut, Shrirang Appa Barne, Hemant Patil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1141 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22 ND NOVEMBER, 2019

## WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY

## 1141. DR. HEENA GAVIT:

DR. DNV SENTHILKUMAR S.:

SHRI VINAYAK RAUT:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

SHRI HEMANT SRIRAM PATIL:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has observed World Mental Health Day recently, if so, the details along with the aims andobjectives thereof;
- (b) the details of the theme of the event along with the programmes/events organized by the Government on this occasion;
- (c)  whether  the  National  Mental Health  Survey  reveals  that  9.8  million teenagers  in  the  age group  13 - 17  years suffer  depression  and  other  mental  health disorders  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has set up or proposes to set up hospitals to take care of teenagers suffering from depression and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government popularize awareness regarding mental health issues and mobilize efforts to support mental health and if so, the details thereof and the achievements made in this regard?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

- (a) & (b): The World Mental Health Day (WMHD) is observed on 10 th October of each year. The day is observed with the objective to mobilize efforts in support of mental he to  raise  awareness  about  mental  health issues  and  advocate  against  the  social  stigma  that surrounds mental health. The World Mental Health Day, 2019 was observed with the theme o 'Mental  Health  Promotion  and  Suicide  Prevention'.  On  this  occasion  Central  Government Hospitals/ Institutions and t he District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) teams in the States conducted conferences/ workshops, various activities and awareness programmes with focus suicide  prevention.      The  Union  Minister  of  Health  and  Family  Welfare  along  with  Hea Ministers of various States/UTs also released leaflets on suicide prevention in New Delhi this day.

(c) to (e): As  per  the  National  Mental  Health  Survey,  2016,  the  prevalence  of  menta disorders  in  teenagers  aged  13 - 17  years  was  7.3%  and  nearly  9.8  million  in  this age group needed  active  interventions. To  address  the  burden  of  mental  disorders,  the  Government  is implementing the National Mental Health Programme ( NMHP) in the country since 1982. The Government is supporting implementation of the District Mental Heal th Programme (DMHP) under NMHP in 655 districts of the country for early detection, management and treatmen mental disorders/illnesses. With the objective to address the shortage of qualified mental health professionals in the country, the Government i s implementing Manpower Development Schemes for establishment of Centres of Excellence and strengthening/ establishment of Post Gr (PG)  Departments  in  mental  health  specialties.  Till  date,  support  has  been  provide establishment of 25 Centres of Excellence and strengthening/establishment of 47 Post Graduate (PG) Departments in mental health specialties in the country. Tertiary level mental hea facilities are provided through dedicated Mental Health Institutions as well as Medical r un by Central and State Governments. The Government has also enacted the Mental Healthca Act, 2017, which came into force w.e.f. 29/05/2018. The Act aims at protection and prom of the rights of persons with mental illness during the delivery of heal th care in institutions and in  the  community.  To  generate  awareness  among  masses  about  mental  illnesses  Informatio Education and Communication (IEC) activities are included as an integral part of the N Funds upto Rs. 4 lakh per annum are provided to each District under the DMHP for IEC and awareness generation activities in the community, schools, colleges, workplaces, community involvement. Under the DMHP, various IEC activities such as awareness messages in local newspapers and radio, street p lays, wall paintings, hoardings etc. are also undertaken.