Hindu Editorial Analysis : 4-February-2025
The Union Budget for 2025-26 marks a significant step forward in addressing mental health in India. With an allocation of ₹99,858.56 crore to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW), the budget recognizes health as a key pillar of national development. Among the key allocations, mental health has received substantial attention, signaling the government’s commitment to improving mental well-being across the nation.
Key Allocations for Mental Health in the Union Budget
- National Tele Mental Health Programme: The budget allocates ₹79.6 crore to this program, aiming to provide mental health services nationwide. This initiative ensures that individuals across all regions can access mental health support.
- National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS): Strengthening India’s capacity to handle complex mental health issues, NIMHANS will receive funds to boost research and treatment services.
Understanding Mental Health
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health refers to a state of well-being where individuals realize their potential, cope with life’s stresses, work productively, and contribute meaningfully to society. Various factors, such as exposure to poverty, violence, trauma, substance abuse, and dysfunctional family relationships, can contribute to mental health disorders.
Potential Causes of Mental Health Disorders
- Social, Economic, and Environmental Factors: Issues like poverty, violence, and inequality can negatively affect mental health.
- Trauma and Abuse: Early life experiences, such as child abuse or witnessing violence, are significant contributors.
- Substance Abuse: The use of alcohol or drugs often correlates with mental health issues.
- Isolation: Feelings of loneliness and lack of support systems can lead to mental disorders.
The Burden of Mental Health Disorders
- Global Impact: In 2019, 970 million people worldwide lived with a mental disorder, with anxiety and depression being the most common. These disorders often lead to distress, impaired functioning, and a greater risk of self-harm.
- Impact in India:
- 15% of India’s adult population is affected by mental health disorders.
- Mental morbidity is higher in urban areas (13.5%) compared to rural areas (6.9%).
Challenges in Mental Health Care
Several challenges hinder access to mental health care:
- Socio-economic Factors: Issues like poverty, unemployment, and food insecurity complicate mental health conditions.
- Stigma and Discrimination: Social discrimination worsens the situation for individuals suffering from mental health conditions.
- Budgetary Ambiguities: The National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) faces funding challenges due to merging with broader health programs, making it hard to identify precise allocations.
- Treatment Gap: Between 70% and 92% of mental health issues remain untreated, especially among blue-collar workers.
- Limited Policy Scope: Existing policies, like the Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions Code (2020), focus on physical health but overlook mental health.
Steps Toward Inclusive Mental Health Care
To build a more inclusive mental health care system, several measures are required:
- Policy Reforms: Update existing laws to recognize mental strain as a compensable injury.
- Public Awareness and Education: Campaigns to reduce stigma and encourage individuals to seek help.
- Community-Based Programs: These initiatives help provide early detection, treatment, and support, especially for underserved populations.
- Training Health Workers: Healthcare professionals, including general physicians, should be trained to identify and address mental health issues.
- Collaboration: Partnerships between government, NGOs, and the private sector can improve mental health care infrastructure.
Key Initiatives and Government Actions
- WHO’s Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan: This plan emphasizes community-based care, prevention strategies, and integrating mental health into primary health care.
- National Mental Health Programme (NMHP): India has launched several initiatives under NMHP, including 25 Centres of Excellence for mental health specialties and the National Tele Mental Health Programme to improve access to care.
- Manodarpan Initiative: A program under Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, which provides psycho-social support to students.
- Kiran Helpline: A crisis management helpline aimed at suicide prevention.
Why In News
The Union Budget 2025-26 has made significant strides in addressing mental health, allocating ₹99,858.56 crore to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW), which underscores the government’s recognition of health as a critical pillar of national development. This substantial allocation also highlights the growing emphasis on mental well-being as an integral part of the overall healthcare system, ensuring that mental health receives the attention it deserves alongside physical health.
MCQs about The Union Budget 2025-26 and Mental Health Care in India
-
What is the main goal of the National Tele Mental Health Programme in the Union Budget 2025-26?
A. To provide free physical health services
B. To enhance research on neurological diseases
C. To provide accessible mental health services across the country
D. To build mental health research institutes
-
What is a significant cause of mental health disorders according to the essay?
A. Lack of physical exercise
B. High levels of education
C. Exposure to social, economic, and environmental stress
D. Healthy family relationships
-
Which initiative under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan provides psycho-social support to students for mental well-being?
A. National Tele Mental Health Programme
B. Kiran Helpline
C. Manodarpan Initiative
D. National Mental Health Programme (NMHP)
Boost up your confidence by appearing our Weekly Current Affairs Multiple Choice Questions
