NEP 2020 has sparked concerns among experts who flag that MPhil discontinuation clashes with mandatory requirements for clinical psychologists under the Mental Health Act, finds out ARCHANA JYOTI

When you find yourself craving continental cuisine, but your chef is well-versed in Pacific culinary delights, it presents an interesting culinary challenge.

But this experiment cannot be applied to, at least health-related issues that too particularly when it comes to mental health issues.

More so, when we are seeing a huge surge in mental health cases among younger generations including students, whether from medical or engineering to name a few.

To put it in simple words, the analogy of craving continental cuisine with a Pacific-focused chef was used to illustrate a culinary challenge, but mental health challenges are complex and should be treated with the utmost seriousness and empathy.

This is what happened at a NITI Aayog meeting held last August to discuss the proposed modifications to the M.Phil. in Clinical Psychology. Attended by psychiatrists with no adequate representation of clinical psychologists who understand the field’s complexities, the outcome looks like not only chaos but also an attempt to degrade the quality of the aspiring professionals in the sector.

Now Indian Association of Clinical Psychologists (IACP), representing the sector has approached UGC and the PMO for their intervention after Niti Aayog failed to redress the anomalies in its suggestions.

Explains Dr Shweta Sharma, Clinical Psychologist and Joint Sectary IACP, “While the NEP explicitly states the discontinuation of the MPhil programs (academic), it lacks clarity for current students and poses a challenge for clinical psychologists, as MPhil in Clinical Psychology (2 years professional degree) is mandatory after the academic degree of Masters in Clinical Psychology for recognition and practice as a Clinical Psychologist by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) under the Mental Health Act (MHA) 2017. Clinical Psychology MPhil programs recognized by RCI provide comprehensive training in various fields like emergency care, child and adolescent psychology, behavior medicine, maternal mental health, and neuroscience to name a few. This curriculum builds a strong foundation to serve people in need of mental health care.”

However, the Think Tank's proposed modification, in all likelihood, is set to impact the quality of mental health professionals in India.

This will lead to reducing the effectiveness of treatments, and the potential consequences for future generations seeking mental health support, adds Dr. Monica Sharma, Clinical Psychologist and Head, of the Department of Clinical Psychology IIS (deemed to be University), Jaipur.

Wasim Kakroo, a licensed clinical psychologist (alumni of Govt. Medical College Srinagar) and works as a consultant clinical psychologist at the Centre for Mental Health Services (CMHS) at Rambagh Srinagar talks about the important role that clinical psychologists play in assessing psychology.

“Children find it hard to express their feelings, but psychologists can tell by watching how a child behaves around their parents, teachers, and peers. More complex emotions like assurance, hope, guilt, and pride become apparent as the child grows and develops. Teaching kids how to manage their emotions is crucial. Early detection of odd behavior by therapists or psychologists can help the child express their feelings in a healthy, constructive way.”

The Psychologists have also argued that clinical psychology is part of the medical field and should not be subject to changes suggested by NITI Aayog. Its move is also in stark violation of the RCI Act and the Mental Health Care Act 2017, which clearly define the roles and qualifications of Clinical Psychologists.

Earlier the program was titled “Diploma in Medical and Social Psychology” which was renamed as M.Phil. in Clinical Psychology. The MPhil is considered an entry-level requirement for the doctoral program in institutions like NIMHANS, as it ensures candidates have confidence through theoretical tests, therapy skills, and a research dissertation. 

The experts say that only after the three-pronged evaluation process in MPhil, the license is given. They argue that while the government may change the program’s title, the essential nature of the training for clinical psychologists remains crucial and the rigorous process ensures competent practitioners.

They cite countries like Canada, the USA, Australia, UK, where a basic graduation in Psychology is required after which Clinical Specialization is offered at the master's Level.

So what one can gather is that the Think Tank is trying to increase the number of professionals but without thinking that its efforts in hindsight are all set to decrease the quality of Clinical Psychologists, thereby affecting the quality of mental health treatment, say the researchers.

“Instead of degrading the professional training of Clinical Psychologists, efforts should be made to increase the number of seats for professional training in RCI-approved institutes.

“The foundation for effective mental health treatment lies in rigorous training post-master, and lowering the qualification to graduation level would compromise the necessary skills and maturity required for the profession,” adds Dr. Dherandra Kumar, President of IACP.

This will have an impact on future generations seeking help for mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and various psychological issues. “Instead of altering the structure of the program, the Niti Aayog should have renamed the degree to emphasize its authenticity and align it with other medical fields,” says the Association which is seeking intervention from the PMO in the matter.

There has been a high demand for M.Phil. graduates in the mental health field due to their field experience and extensive supervised clinical training. However, institutions are awaiting clarity on the program continuation without any temporary solutions.