3 Government Efforts For Your Mental Well-Being

by Anoushka Pinto 5 min Read

In recent years, the importance of mental well-being has gained significant recognition, prompting governments worldwide to implement various initiatives aimed at supporting mental health. In India, several government efforts focus on providing accessible mental health services, promoting awareness, and reducing stigma associated with mental health issues. These initiatives not only aim to improve the overall mental well-being of citizens but also recognize the intricate connection between mental and physical health. By exploring these government programs, individuals can better understand the resources available to them and how they can access the support they need to thrive.

Table of content:

1. Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK)
2. Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness Centres
3. National Mental Health Programme (NMHP)
Other government initiatives
How Milaap can help

1. Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK)

Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) was launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) in 2014, to promote holistic health and welfare of adolescents in India – with special focus on mental health.

Features

Establishment of Adolescent Friendly Health Clinics (AFHCs) across various levels of public health institutions in all the States.
Peer Educator Programme in select 200 districts, based on Composite Health Index and identified as High Priority Districts (HPDs).

Eligibility

It intends to ensure holistic development of the adolescent population. The RKSK programme defines an adolescent as a person within 10-19 years of age, in urban and rural areas, including both girls and boys, married and unmarried, poor and affluent, whether they are in school or out of school.

The programme also focuses on reaching out to all adolescents including Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ).

Aid provided

To guide the implementation of this programme, MoHFW in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has developed a National Adolescent Health Strategy.
The six thematic areas of RKSK as well as that of the strategy are nutrition, sexual reproductive health, substance misuse, non – communicable diseases, mental health and injuries and violence.
The programme envisages a paradigm shift from clinic-based services to the promotion and prevention and reaching adolescents in their own environment, such as in schools, families and communities.

2. Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness Centres

Ayushman Bharat (AB) is an attempt to move from a selective approach to health care to deliver a comprehensive range of services that include screening and basic management of mental health ailments.

Under Ayushman Bharat (AB-HWCs) provision of comprehensive primary care includes preventive healthcare and health promotion at the community level with continuum of care approach for all.

Features

Mental Health services are part of the expanded package of services being incrementally rolled out under Comprehensive Primary Health Care.
There are 30 national trainers and 100 state-level trainers for training frontline workers (ASHA & MPW) and 45 National Trainers and 100 state-level trainers on the Training modules on Mental, Neurological and Substance Use (MNS).
Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) provides treatment corresponding to a total of 1,682 procedures under 25 different specialties including oncology, nephrology, cardiology and general medicine etc. Of these, a total of 10 packages pertain to the field of mental healthcare.
Here is the list of packages under Speciality – Mental Disorders defined under AB PM-JAY.

Eligibility

Services at AB-HWCs are free and universal to all individuals residing in the service area including mental health services.

Read more, here.

3. National Mental Health Programme (NMHP)

The National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) was launched in 1982 with the objective of providing accessible and affordable mental health services to all.

Features

The program aims to integrate mental health services into the general healthcare system and promote community-based mental health care. The NMHP also focuses on the prevention of mental health problems and the rehabilitation of individuals with mental illness.
Under the NMHP, several activities are carried out, including the establishment of mental health clinics, training of healthcare professionals in mental health, and community-based mental health programs.
The programme provides free medication to individuals with mental illness who cannot afford it.

Eligibility

Open to all Indian citizens.

Aid provided

Under the National Mental Health Programme, The District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) was launched in 1996 with the aim of providing mental health services at the district level.

The program focuses on the integration of mental health services into primary healthcare, with the objective of increasing access to mental health services in rural and remote areas.
Under the DMHP, mental health teams are established at the district level, comprising psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and nurses.
The teams provide mental health services, including diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation, at the primary healthcare level.
The program also focuses on community-based mental health promotion and prevention activities.

Other government initiatives

Read more about these new initiatives, here.

How Milaap can help

While government initiatives for mental well-being provide valuable resources and support, the costs associated with mental health treatment can still pose a challenge for many individuals and families. This is where Milaap can make a difference. By leveraging the power of crowdfunding, Milaap helps individuals raise funds for medical treatment, including mental health care, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent access to essential services. If you or someone you know is facing challenges related to mental health treatment costs, consider starting a fundraiser on Milaap today.