Lok Sabha Question No. 4843 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-01
Subject: Mental Stress and Anxiety
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Bharatiben Dhirubhai Shyal, Rodmal Nagar

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4843 TO BE ANSWERED ON 1 ST  APRIL, 2022

## MENTAL STRESS AND ANXIETY

## 4843.   DR. BHARATIBEN DHIRUBHAI SHIYAL: SHRI RODMAL NAGAR:

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

- (a) whether the number of patients with mental stress and anxiety has increased during the last two years;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the steps being taken/likely to be taken by the Government to prevent depression caused due to mental stress and anxiety;
- (c) whether the Government has conducted any study regarding rising cases of mental stress and anxiety; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

(a)  to  (d):  As  per  the  National  Mental  Health  Survey,  2016,  the  prevalence  of  stress-related disorders, phobic anxiety disorders & other anxiety disorders, in adults over the age of 18 years is  3.5  %,  1.9%  &  1.2%  respectively.  Realizing  the  impact  that  COVID-19  may  have  on  the mental health of the people, the Government has taken a number of initiatives, including -

- (i) Setting up  of a 24/7 helpline to provide  psychosocial  support, by  mental  health professionals,  to  the  entire  affected  population,  divided  into  different  target  groups  viz children, adult, elderly, women and healthcare workers.
- (ii) Issuance  of  guidelines/  advisories  on  management  of  mental  health  issues,  catering  to different segments of the society.
- (iii) Advocacy  through  various  media  platforms  in  the  form  of  creative  and  audio-visual materials on managing stress and anxiety, and promoting an environment of support and care for all.
- (iv) Issuance  and  dissemination  of  detailed  guidelines  by  the  National  Institute  of  Mental Health  and  Neurosciences (NIMHANS),  Bengaluru-  "Mental  Health  in  the  times  of COVID-19 Pandemic - Guidance for General Medical and Specialized Mental Health Care Settings".
- (v) All the guidelines, advisories and advocacy material can be accessed on Ministry of Health and Family Welfare website under 'Behavioural Health -Psychosocial helpline' (https://www.mohfw.gov.in/).
- (vi) Online  capacity  building  of  health  workers  by  NIMHANS  in  providing  psychosocial support and training through (iGOT)-Diksha platform.

Further,  with  a  view  to  provide  affordable  and  accessible  mental  healthcare  facilities,  the Government is implementing the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) in the country. The District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) component of the NMHP has been sanctioned for  implementation  in  704  districts  for  which  support  is  provided  to  States/UTs  through  the National  Health  Mission.    Facilities  made  available  under  DMHP  at  the  Community  Health Centre(CHC) and Primary Health Centre(PHC) levels, include outpatient services, assessment, counselling/  psycho-social  interventions,  care  and  support  to  persons  with  severe  mental disorders, drugs, outreach services, ambulance services etc. In addition to above services there is a provision of 10 bedded in-patient facility at the District level.

Besides the above, the Government has announced a 'National Tele Mental Health Programme' in the Budget of 2022-23, to further improve access to quality mental health counselling and care services in the country.

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