Latest news with #NationalMentalHealthProgramme
Hans India
5 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
Tele-MANAS mental health helpline handles over 23.8 lakh calls since 2022: Prataprao Jadhav
New Delhi: The Tele MANAS toll-free number, launched as part of the national tele-mental health programme in India, has received more than 23,82,000 calls since its launch in 2022 till mid-March 2025, the Parliament was informed on Friday. Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, said that 53 Tele MANAS cells have been set up in 36 states. It provides 24/7 mental health services in up to 20 languages. "More than 23,82,000 calls have been handled on the helpline number," he said. The toll-free number (14416) was launched in 2022 on the occasion of World Mental Health Day on October 10 to counter the rising mental health issues in the country. Tele-MANAS is a mobile application that provides a comprehensive platform to provide support for mental health issues, ranging from well-being to mental disorders. "The Government has also launched the video consultation facility under Tele-MANAS, as another upgrade to the already existing audio calling facility," Jadhav said. To strengthen mental health services, the government has implemented the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP), which includes the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) -- sanctioned for implementation in 767 districts. The government is also taking steps to strengthen mental healthcare services at the primary healthcare level. 'The government has upgraded more than 1.77 lakh Sub Health Centres (SHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) to Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. Mental health services have been added in the packages of services under Comprehensive Primary Health Care provided at these Ayushman Arogya Mandirs,' Jadhav said. There are 47 government-run mental hospitals in the country, including 3 Central Mental Health Institutions, viz. National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru, Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Regional Institute of Mental Health, Tezpur, Assam, and Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi. Mental Health Services are also provisioned in all AIIMS, the Minister said.
New Indian Express
22-07-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Centre has no official data on nomophobia, Rajya Sabha told
NEW DELHI: The Centre on Tuesday said that it does not maintain any central data on patients suffering from nomophobia, the fear of being without mobile phones. In a written reply, the Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, informed the Rajya Sabha that a behavioural addiction clinic has been established at AIIMS, New Delhi, to manage various behavioural addictions, including internet and technology addiction. 'The data of patients suffering from nomophobia in the country is not maintained centrally,' said the minister in response to a question from Congress MP Phulo Devi Netam, who asked whether it is a fact that the number of patients suffering from nomophobia is constantly increasing in the country and whether a large number of these patients are young children and youth. Nomophobia is the fear or anxiety associated with being without one's mobile phone or the ability to use it. The minister said that to address the burden of mental disorders, the Centre is implementing the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) across the country. The District Mental Health Programme (DMHP), a component of the NMHP, has been sanctioned for implementation in 767 districts. Support for this is provided to States and Union Territories through the National Health Mission. Facilities made available under the DMHP at the Community Health Centre (CHC) and Primary Health Centre (PHC) levels include outpatient services, assessment, counselling/psychosocial interventions, continuing care and support for persons with severe mental disorders, medication, outreach services, and ambulance services. In addition to these, there is a provision for 10-bedded in-patient facilities at the district level. Jadhav also stated that the government is taking steps to strengthen mental healthcare services at the primary healthcare level and has upgraded more than 1.77 lakh Sub Health Centres (SHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) into Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. Mental health services have been included in the packages of services under Comprehensive Primary Health Care provided at these Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. Under the tertiary care component of the NMHP, 25 Centres of Excellence have been sanctioned to increase the intake of students in postgraduate departments in mental health specialities, as well as to provide tertiary-level treatment facilities. Furthermore, the government has supported 19 government medical colleges/institutions to strengthen 47 postgraduate departments in mental health specialities. There are 47 government-run mental hospitals in the country, including three Central Mental Health Institutions: the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru; the Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Regional Institute of Mental Health, Tezpur, Assam; and the Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi. Mental health services are also available at all AIIMS institutions. The minister added that the government launched the National Tele Mental Health Programme on October 10, 2022, to further improve access to quality mental health counselling and care services across the country. As of July 17, 36 States and Union Territories have established 53 Tele-MANAS Cells and have started providing tele-mental health services. More than 23.82 lakh calls have been handled on the helpline number. Additionally, the Tele-MANAS mobile application was launched on World Mental Health Day last year, on October 10. It is a comprehensive mobile platform developed to provide support for mental health issues ranging from overall well-being to mental disorders.
LBCI
09-07-2025
- Health
- LBCI
From crown to cause: Miss Lebanon Nada Koussa named mental health ambassador
Health Minister Rakan Nasreddine has appointed Miss Lebanon, Nada Koussa, as Lebanon's mental health ambassador in collaboration with the National Mental Health Programme. The initiative aims to raise public awareness about the importance of mental well-being and the need to protect it. Expressing gratitude for what she called a first-of-its-kind appointment, Koussa said it reflects 'a growing recognition that mental health is not a luxury, but a fundamental need.' She pointed out that 'a high percentage of people in Lebanon suffer from symptoms of depression, and worse, there are cases of suicide.' Koussa added that since beginning her career as a psychologist and throughout her reign as Miss Lebanon, her mission has remained clear: Promoting awareness, education, and access to psychological care.
Indian Express
15-06-2025
- Indian Express
Because every story has a beginning. Even Sonam's
Sonam Raghuvanshi once had dreams of getting an MBA degree, and expanding her father's plywood business. In the bylanes of Indore's Kushwah Nagar where, in her father's words, her movements and interactions were 'strictly curbed', she would only make it so far as the Kushwaha community's matrimonial directory. The Samaj Parichay Pustika was a time-tested way to form marriage alliances, ensuring one remained 'safely' and assuredly within own community. Six months after Sonam's biodata was added to the directory by her family, barely snatches remain of that 24-year-old, who now has only one identity, of 'the woman who killed her husband on their honeymoon'. Worse, she did it due to 'an affair with a younger man'. Even worse, 'the families didn't match her horoscope' with the man she would go on to marry — a man she barely knew except as a 'compatible' matrimonial biodata. Police are still building their case, but Sonam's brother, chased by media cameras, has declared he has little doubt 'she did it'. Her mother-in-law and the mother of her 'lover' have been pitted on national television against each other, talking about their sons and united in their censure of Sonam; the 'lover's' school-going sisters have been captured too, their 'breaking down' and 'fainting' played on repeat. Year after year, the National Crime Records Bureau registers 'love affairs' as the fastest rising cause for murder in India, and top third among all reasons. That includes 'honour killings', one of the roads down which choices of many women end. However, it would appear Sonam has gone where no man — or, should it be, woman? — has gone before. Speaking to news agency UNI last week, Dr Naresh Purohit, who is attached with the National Mental Health Programme, said that a surge in spousal murders reflects 'deeper societal issues where forced marriages and inability to express views about relationship choices can lead to violent outcomes'. However, they tell us that all Sonam should have done under the circumstances is 'walk away'. Meghalaya's famous root bridge near where Sonam allegedly carried out the murder is a place bustling with tourists, with shops having sprung up selling snacks to knick-knacks, run mostly by women. A girl belonging perhaps to bylanes no wider than where Sonam grew up can often surprise you with a perfect rendition of an English pop song. Wonder what Sonam, presumably frustrated with her marriage, presumably contemplating a new start, thought of that girl. Maybe in another lifetime, Sonam could have left home in the few months between when her groom was chosen for her and the marriage festivities started. Maybe, her family would have accepted the younger man she is said to have loved, who was their employee and much lower in social standing. Maybe she and the man could then have been one of those couples taking selfies on the root bridge, ignoring calls to move on by guards worried about the safety of the ancient structure. However, how many of us would bet on this parallel lifeline for Sonam? And yet, we are a country that lives and breathes parallel lifelines. In one such lifeline, not too long ago, two women were the face of India's efforts against a warring neighbour, as the government celebrated its 'Operation Sindoor' as a 'tribute to all women, daughters, sisters'. But even before the dust had settled, from within the ruling establishment came questions about why the women who survived the Pahalgam terror attack had not fought back for their 'sindoor'. An appeal for peace by one of those women drew a swift backlash. Across these very different lifelines, one thing is common: a woman can thrive all she wants, as long as she sticks to the course drawn for her by others. National Editor Shalini Langer curates the fortnightly 'She Said' column
United News of India
11-06-2025
- Health
- United News of India
Surge in spousal murders in India reflects deeper societal issues: NMHP Advisor
Hyderabad, June 11 (UNI) A surge in spousal murders in India reflects deeper societal issues where forced marriages and inability to express views about relationship choices can lead to violent outcomes, according to Dr Naresh Puohit, Advisor National Mental Health Programme (NMHP). The recent tragic murder of Raja Raghuvanshi, a young businessman from Indore, allegedly killed by his wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, during their honeymoon in Meghalaya is a heartbreaking reminder of the devastation caused by dishonesty in relationships. Marriage is a sacred bond built on trust and mutual respect. When these values are absent, the consequences can be catastrophic, said Dr Naresh, noted Mental Health Expert. Talking to UNI after addressing a Continuing Medical Education Programme (CME) on "Understanding Toxic Relationships" organised by the Hyderabad-based Institute of Mental Health here on Wednesday, Dr Purohit emphasised that instead of resorting to violence, individuals must have the courage to choose divorce or to walk away from marriages that conflict with their true feelings. Taking an innocent life is never the answer, it creates a cycle of pain and suffering for all involved. Quoting his recent research paper titled "The Psychology Behind Spousal Killings", the Principal Investigator for the Association of Studies In Mental Care, pointed that one of the leading factors that makes spouses commit such heinous act is the desire to take over, control and dominate the relationship; and the failure to achieve that can lead to frustration, prompting them to kill their partner. "The relationships where the partner has the intense ambition of jealousy and possessiveness can fuel anger and resentment, whereas little events can take up huge manifestations like killing or murdering the partner," he added "The past experiences of an individual can lead to such killings. Where prior bad experiences may erode trust in the institution of marriage, leading to the killing of the partner," he said He averred that several personality disorders, such as narcissistic personality disorder, where one is extremely egotistical or is very suspicious of the other partner, can predispose individuals to aggressive behaviors and a lack of empathy. "According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) homicides resulting from love affairs and marital relationships are the third and fourth most prevalent motives for murder in India. Statistically, approximately one in ten murders in the nation is perpetrated by a lover, spouse, or partner." "From 2010 to 2014, the proportion of murders linked to love affairs and relationships fluctuated between 7 percent and 8 percent. In contrast, from 2015 to 2022, this percentage increased to between 10 percent and 11 per cent, and the trend shows no signs of abating," the renowned physician added. Experts pointed out that in most spousal crimes, the person isn't mentally ill; they just don't care how their emotions and actions affect others. It's much more than just poor mental well-being, it's complete moral erosion. UNI KNR RN
