Unit-VIII M.Sc II National Mental Health Policy.pptx

The vision of the National Mental Health Policy is to promote mental health, prevent mental illness, enable recovery from mental illness, promote de- stigmatization and desegregation, and ensure socio-economic inclusion of persons affected by mental illness by providing accessible, affordable and quality health

1. Dr.Anjalatchi M uthukumaran Vice principal Era college of nursing National Mental Health Policy

2. Introduction As per Census 2011, there are 15,05,624 mentally challenged persons in the country.

3. Vision of NMHP The vision of the National Mental Health Policy is to promote mental health, prevent mental illness, enable recovery from mental illness, promote destigmatization and desegregation, and ensure socio-economic inclusion of persons affected by mental illness by providing accessible, affordable and quality health and social care to all persons through their life-span within a rights-based frame work .

4. Goals of the policy To reduce distress, disability, exclusion morbidity and premature mortality associated with mental health problems across life span of the person. To enhance understanding of the mental health in the country. To strengthen the leadership in the mental health sector at the national, state and district levels.

5. Objectives of the Policy To provide universal access to mental health care. To increase access to and utilisation of comprehensive mental health services by persons with mental health problems. To increase access to mental health care especially to vulnerable groups including homeless persons, persons in remote areas, educationally, socially and deprived sections. To reduce prevalence and impact of risk factors associated with mental health problems. To reduce risk and incidence of suicide and attempted suicide.

6. Continued To ensure respect for rights and protection from harm of persons with mental health problems. To reduce stigma associated with mental health problems. To enhance availability and equitable distribution of skilled human resources for mental health. To progressively enhance financial allocation and improve utilisation for mental health promotion and care. To identify and address the social, biological and psychological determinants of mental health problems and to provide appropriate interventions.

7. Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 In  India , the  Mental Health Care Act 2017  was passed on 7 April 2017 and came into force from 29 May 2018. The act effectively decriminalized  attempted suicide  which was punishable under  Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code

8. The law was described in its opening paragraph as "An Act to provide for mental healthcare and services for persons with  mental illness  and to protect, promote and fulfill the rights of such persons during delivery of mental healthcare and services and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto .“  This Act superseded the previously existing  Mental Health Act, 1987  that was passed on 22 May 1987.

9. It states that mental illness be determined "in accordance with nationally and internationally accepted medical standards (including the latest edition of the  International Classification of Disease  of the  World Health Organization ) as may be notified by the Central Government." Additionally , the Act asserts that no person or authority shall classify an individual as a person with mental illness unless in directly in relation with treatment of the illness.

10. References Source :  National Mental Health Policy