National mental health programme

National mental health programme

1. NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMME Presented by: Harsh Rastogi , M.Sc. Nursing 1 st year, King George’s Medical University, Institute of Nursing, Lucknow .

2. Introduction The National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) was launched during 1982 with a view to ensure availability of mental health care services for all, especially the community at risk and underprivileged section of population. Eleven institutions have been identified for imparting basic knowledge and skills in the field of mental health to the primary health care physicians and paramedical personnel, at present this programme covers 94 districts.

3. Aims of NMHP Prevention and treatment of mental and neurological disorders and their associated disabilities Use of mental health technology to improve general health services Application of mental health principles in total national development to improve quality of life

4. Objectives of NMHP To ensure availability and accessibility of minimum mental health care for all in the foreseeable future, particularly to the most vulnerable and underprivileged sections of population To encourage application of mental health knowledge in general health care and in the social development To promote community participation in the mental health services development and to stimulate efforts towards self-help in the community

5. Strategies of NMHP Integration of mental health with primary health care through the NMHP Provision of tertiary care institutions for treatment of mental disorders Eradicating stigmatization of mentally ill patients and protecting their rights through regulatory institutions like the Central Mental Health Authority and State Mental Authority.

6. Mental health care The mental morbidity requires priority in mental health treatment Primary health care at village and sub-center level At primary health centre level At district hospital level Mental hospital and teaching psychiatric units

7. District mental health programme components Training programmes of all workers in the mental health team at the identified nodal institute in the state Public education in mental health to increase awareness and to reduce stigma

8. Cont… For early detection and treatment , the OPD and indoor services are provided Providing valuable data and experience at the level of community to the state and centre for future planning, improvement in service and research.

9. Cont… District mental health programme has now incorporated promotive and preventive activities for positive mental health which includes: School mental health services: life skills education in schools counseling services. College counseling services: through trained teachers/councilors.

10. Cont… Work place stress management :formal and informal sectors including farmers ,women, etc Suicide prevention services: counseling centre at district level, sensitization workshops, IEC, help lines etc.

11. Thrust areas District mental health programme in an enlarged and more effective form covering the entire country. Modernization of mental hospitals in order to modify their

12. Cont… Present custodial role. Upgrading dept. of psychiatry in medical colleges and enhancing the psychiatric content of medical curriculum at undergraduate and post graduate level.

13. Cont… Strengthening the central and state mental health authorities with a permanent secretariat. Appointment of medical officers at state head quarters in order to make monitoring role more effective. Research and training in the field of community mental health, substance abuse and child adolescent psychiatric clinics.

14. Limitations of NMHP There is no initiative from the mental health professional to take active part in this programme.most of them are not aware of the programme . There is shortage of professional manpower and training programmes are not able to meet the demand in providing all medical private practitioner and medical officers

15. Cont… The targets set for the programme are not achieved till today after lapse of more than one decade. This indicates that there is a poor commitment of the government, psychiatrists and community at large. The programme has given more emphasis on the curative services to the mental disorders and preventive measures are largely ignored. More public awareness programme are required.

16. BIBLIOGRAPHY Basavanthappa BT, Community Health Nursing 1 st Edition, 1998, Jaypee Brothers, Delhi, Page no. 319-321. Chalkey A. M., A Textbook for the Health Worker, 1 st Edition, 1985, N.A.I. Limited, Publisher, New Delhi, Page no. 330-340. Kumari Neelam , Essentials of Community Health Nursing, 1 st Edition 2011, PV books Jalandhar , Page no. 225-226.

17. Cont… Park K., Essentials of Community Health Nursing, 4 th Edition 2004, Banarasidas Bhanot Publisher, Jabalpur, Page no. 225-226. Swarnkar K., Community Health Nursing, 2 nd Edition 2008, N.R. Brother, Indore, Page no.639-642.