Dear Vaishnavi
thanks for posting this article..excellent speech by the VP...!!
regards
soumitra
Talk does not cook rice - Chinese proverb
On 22-01-2012 14:40, Vaishnavi Jayakumar wrote:
20 Jan 2012
Bangalore : Indian Vice President M. Hamid Ansari on Friday said that
that there exists a huge gap between the demand for mental health
service provision and supply is not in doubt.
Over two-thirds of those who suffer from mental illnesses do not
receive the treatment that they ought to.
Delivering inaugural address at the “16th Convocation of of National
Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences” at Bangalore on Friday,
he said that improving the infrastructure and human resources for
supplying mental health services is one aspect of the problem.
"The more serious issue relates to the stigma of mental illness in the
country. While we have made enormous strides in de-stigmatising
patients of HIV/AIDS through public education and awareness campaigns,
we have not been able to replicate the same regarding mental
disorders. We must reduce the stigma and discrimination through public
awareness," he said.
Ansari said: "We must also focus our efforts specifically on
vulnerable population groups such as women, children, those facing
social or familial isolation, drug or alcohol addicts, natural or
man-made disaster victims and those working or living in conflict
zones. These population groups need proactive appraisal of their
mental health condition and timely intervention if necessary."
Following is the text of Vice President’s inaugural address :
“It gives me great pleasure to participate in today’s convocation at
this premier multidisciplinary institute for patient care and academic
pursuit in the frontier area of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences.
With a distinguished history of over a century and a legacy of
excellence, the graduating students of NIMHANS have every reason to be
proud of their alma mater and look forward to their professional and
personal futures with confidence and optimism.
With a spectrum of activity that stretches “from the bench to the
bedside”, it has emerged as an institution of global repute in the
field of Neuroscience and Behavioural science. I extend my best wishes
to all graduating students and wish them all success in their
professional and personal endeavours.
This audience is aware that we have in place a comprehensive framework
of laws and policies pertaining to mental health. Some of you will
recall the infamous Eradi fire tragedy that evoked the conscience of
the nation to the plight of those affected with mental illness in our
society. Subsequently, the catalyzing impact of the Supreme Court
intervention resulted in greater resource allocation and enhanced
policy intervention to mental health. The National Programme was
restructured in 2003 and funding increased from around Rs. 28 crores
during the Ninth Plan period to over Rs. 400 crores in the Eleventh Plan.
Despite this, our expenditure on health as a proportion of the GDP
remains at 1.27 per cent and is very low as compared to international
standards. Over three fourths of the total expenditure on health
constitutes private sector expenditure, of which over 90 per cent is
borne out-of-pocket by private households. Less than 5 per cent of
such out-of-pocket expenditure is spent on anti-psychotic or
anti-depressant medication.
A review of the human resources focused on mental health is also
revealing. We have:
* twenty psychiatrists per ten million population as compared to the
global average of 120;
* six neurosurgeons per ten million population in comparison to the
global average of 20;
* five psychiatric nurses per ten million population to the global
figure of 200;
* five neurologists per ten million population to the global figure
of 30;
* three psychologists per ten million population to the global
figure of 60;
* three social workers per ten million population to the global
average of 40.
Even in terms of mental health infrastructure, we have 25 psychiatric
beds per million people as compared to the global average of 169.
A few questions do come to mind. Allow me to share them with you:
* Have we succeeded in our attempt to integrate mental health care
provision as part of the primary health care delivery system? Are
our general physicians and paramedical staff manning the primary
health centres and sub-centres sensitized to problems of mental
health?
* While inadequacy of specialists to staff mental health services is
recognized, have we made efforts to update undergraduate medical
curricula so that our doctors are skilled and trained in
diagnosing and handling persons suffering from common psychiatric
conditions seen in general settings?
* Have we given attention to enlarging the pool of non-medical
professionals such as psychologists, social workers, occupational
therapists and para-medical staff such as psychiatric nurses, all
of whom are key elements of mental health service provision?
* Have we succeeded in evolving a community mental health service
approach where people can be effectively treated and integrated
into society? Do our mental health professionals prefer the safety
of specialist institutions to moving out into the community?
* Have we involved non-health sectors such as education, labour,
social welfare, urban development and law in improving the mental
health of our communities? Do we include mental health indices as
part of general health information and reporting systems to help
set priorities, identify emerging trends and direct interventions
appropriately?
That there exists a huge gap between the demand for mental health
service provision and supply is not in doubt. Over two-thirds of those
who suffer from mental illnesses do not receive the treatment that
they ought to. Improving the infrastructure and human resources for
supplying mental health services is one aspect of the problem.
The more serious issue relates to the stigma of mental illness in the
country. While we have made enormous strides in de-stigmatising
patients of HIV/AIDS through public education and awareness campaigns,
we have not been able to replicate the same regarding mental
disorders. We must reduce the stigma and discrimination through public
awareness.
We must also focus our efforts specifically on vulnerable population
groups such as women, children, those facing social or familial
isolation, drug or alcohol addicts, natural or man-made disaster
victims and those working or living in conflict zones. These
population groups need proactive appraisal of their mental health
condition and timely intervention if necessary.
I once again congratulate the graduating students and thank Ghulam
Nabi Azad saheb for inviting me to this Convocation.” (IBNS)
http://www.newkerala.com/news/2011/worldnews-147501.html
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
Groups "Mental Health Advocacy (News 'N Views) India" group.
To post to this group, send email to [email protected]
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
[email protected]
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/MhaNewsViewsIndia?hl=en
-------------
Affiliated Groups : MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY INDIA
[email protected]
Discussions on mental health law / policy / plan monitoring / human rights etc
[email protected]
India-specific news and views related to mental health
[email protected]
Information and support to carers of people with mental health issues
[email protected]
Mutual support and sharing of experiential knowledge, skills and social
learning amongst peers
