Lok Sabha Question No. 3786 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-25
Subject: Awareness Programme for People post COVID-19
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Mitesh Rameshbhai (Bakabhai) Patel, Shardaben Anilbhai Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3786 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25 TH  MARCH, 2022

## AWARENESS PROGRAMME FOR PEOPLE POST COVID-19

## 3786.   SHRI MITESH RAMESHBHAI PATEL (BAKABHAI): SHRIMATI SHARDABEN ANILBHAI PATEL:

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

- (a) whether the Government has launched any scheme for creating awareness regarding Mental Health amongst people post COVID-19;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise;
- (c) if not, the time by which the Government is likely to formulate any effective scheme in this regard;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to organize a 'Mental Health Fortnight Campaign' each year to create awareness at the national level; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken in this regard?

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

(a) to (c): To address the burden of mental disorders, the Government of India is implementing the  National  Mental  Health  Programme  (NMHP)  since  1982.  The  Government  is  supporting implementation of the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) under NMHP in 704 districts of  the  country.  To  generate  awareness  among  masses  about  mental  illnesses,  Information, Education  and  Communication  (IEC)  activities  are  an  integral  part  of  the  NMHP.  At  District level, sufficient funds are provided under the DMHP under the National Health Mission for IEC and awareness  generation  activities  in  the  community,  schools,  workplaces  and  community  at large.

Further, 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.

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.

(d)  &  (e):  With  the  objective  to  mobilize  efforts  in  support  of  mental  health  and  to  raise awareness  about  mental  health  issues  and  advocate  against  the  social  stigma  that  surrounds mental health, the World Mental Health Day is observed on 10 th October of each year.

*****