National Institute for Transforming India (NITI) is the policy think tank of the Government of India which was established on January 1, 2015. The NITI Aayog aims to plan and execute policies that are necessary for national development. The initiatives taken by NITI Aayog promote overall upgradation of the services and growth of India.
Acknowledging the need for attention required by mental health of the country, NITI Aayog conducted a national workshop on 9th January, 2024 at National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore. The topic being โstrengthening mental health services and care in Indiaโ.
The primary focus of the workshop was to formulate policies addressing mental healthcare, with an emphasis on understanding the perspectives of states and stakeholders regarding existing gaps and challenges under the District Mental Health Program (DMHP). They also reviewed existing successful practices in order to replicate them in other states.
The workshop focused on an integrative approach that converges aspects of traditional medicine and enhancing the mental healthcare workforce by optimising post-graduate seats in psychiatry, psychiatric social work, and clinical psychology. The government is also attempting to include mental health into the primary health care services.
Over 1.6 lakh Sub Health Centres (SHCs), Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHCs), and Urban Health and Wellness Centres (UHWCs) have been upgraded to Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. Mental health services have been included in the package of services offered under Comprehensive Primary Health Care at these Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. Operational guidelines for mental, neurological, and substance use disorders (MNS) at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs have also been released under the ambit of Ayushman Bharat.
The support received from all the states and experts present at the conference has given a boost to the zeal of all mental health professionals in India.
