Lok Sabha Question No. 788 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-23
Subject: Deteriorating Mental Health Conditions
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shriniwas Dadasaheb Patil

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 788 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23 RD JULY, 2021

## DETERIORATING MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS

## 788. SHRI SHRINIWAS PATIL:

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

(a) whether the Government is aware about deteriorating mental health conditions and increase innumber of suicides due to COVID pandemic;

- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to combat this issue?

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

(a)  to  (c):  The  Government  has  not  conducted  any  study  to  assess  the  impact  of  COVID - 19 pandemic  on  m ental  health  of  the  population  or  increase  in  number  of  suicides.  Howev realizing  the  impact  that  COVID - 19  may  have  on  the  mental  health  of  the  people,  the Government has taken a number of initiatives to provide psychosocial support. These init i nclude:

- (i) Setting  up  of  a  24/7  helpline  to  provide  psychosocial  support,  by  mental  he professionals,  to  the  entire  affected  population,  divided  into  different  target  g children, adult, elderly, women and healthcare workers.
- (ii) Issuance  of guidelines/  advisories  on  management  of  mental  health  issues,  catering 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 enviro nment of support and care for all.
- (iv) Issuance of detailed guidelines by the  National Institute of Mental  Health Neurosciences (NIMHANS),  Bengaluru- "Mental  Health  in  the  times  of  COVID - 19 Pandemic -Guidance for General Medical and Specialized Mental Hea lth Care Settings".
- (v) All the guidelines, advisories and advocacy material can be accessed on Ministry of H 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,to  address  the  burden  of  mental  disorders,  the  Government  of  India  i implementing the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP). The Government is supporting implementation  of  the  District  Mental  Health  Programme  (DMHP) under  NMHP in  692 districts of the co untrywith the objectives to:

- (i) Provide  suicide  prevention  services,  work  place  stress  management,  life  ski training and counselling.
- (ii) Provide  mental  health  services  including  prevention,  promotion  and  long - term continuing care at different levels of distr ict healthcare delivery system.
- (iii) Augment  institutional  capacity  in  terms  of  infrastructure,  equipment  and  hum resource for mental healthcare.
- (iv) Promote community awareness and participation in the delivery of mental healthca services.