Citing poor primary infrastructure for mental health and low psychiatrist-patient ratio in the country grappling with mental health issues, a Parliamentary panel has asked the Government to not to go ahead with its plans to terminate the Manpower Development Scheme (MDS) in 2024 and instead continue it beyond to help address the mental health needs of the population.
The panel on ‘mental healthcare and its management in contemporary times’, led by Rajya Sabha MP Bhubaneswar Kalita, highlighted the existing shortage of mental health professionals while emphasizing the inadequacy of the current ratio of 0.75 mental health professionals for every 100,000 people.
In its report tabled in Rajya Sabha , the panel pointed out that this shortage of mental health professionals has real-world consequences, as millions of individuals grappling with various mental health issues continue to suffer. The panel identified not only the stigma and ignorance surrounding mental health but also the insufficiently trained mental health workforce as significant barriers to addressing the mental health needs of the population.
By recommending the continuation of the MDS, the Parliamentary Panel urged the government to take proactive measures to address the shortage of mental health professionals. The scheme plays a crucial role in training and developing a workforce equipped to meet the growing mental health challenges faced by the country, said the report.
The MDS was incorporated in the central flagship National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) with an aim to boost infrastructure and human resources in the sector. As per the programme, the four kinds of PG seats are there - Psychiatry, Clinical Psychologists, MSc in Psychiatric Nursing and MSc Social Worker. Under Scheme-A, about 1,007 seats have been added in recent years -- 55 in Psychiatry, 306 in Clinical Psychology, 251 in Psychiatric Social Worker and 385 in Psychiatric Nursing.
The MDS also envisages strengthening/establishment of PG departments in mental health specialities as well as financial support towards capital works and faculty support to the existing Central and State Mental Health Institutions for strengthening/establishment of Post Graduate Departments in mental health specialities viz: Psychiatry, Clinical Psychology, Psychiatric Social Work and Psychiatric Nurse. A total of 47 PG Departments in 19 institutes have been established/ approved to date. These schemes are set to be completed by 2024, as per the Government.
However, the RS panel opined that the MDS should not be phased out and instead be continued given urgency in the sector.
The Committee also recommended the National Medical Commission (NMC) through the Union Health Ministry to actively explore the feasibility of augmenting the MD Psychiatry seats in the medical colleges.
“The Committee also suggests the Ministry to examine the possibility of a 3 year DNB degree in Psychiatry and other mental health specialisation in private hospitals, railway hospitals, PSU hospitals etc, through the National Board of Examinations.”
The panel further recommended the Ministry to expedite the solution of the problem which has emanated due to the discontinuation of the M.Phil courses as per the New Education Policy.
“The Committee believes that Clinical Psychologists are an essential mental health resource and thus suggests that the Ministry may explore re-naming the course or any other alternative and thus relieve the candidates who have already joined the course.”
There is a shortage of mental health infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, and a lack of trained professionals. Additionally, stigma and discrimination persist, hindering effective intervention and support.
However, these challenges provide an opportunity for India to forge a path forward, adopting a comprehensive and inclusive approach to mental health management.
