Early Times Report
Jammu, July 28: The Union Government on Tuesday acknowledged that rising drug addiction, coupled with decades of conflict and recurring natural disasters, has significantly contributed to the growing burden of mental health disorders in Jammu and Kashmir, prompting the Centre to expand psychiatric care, addiction treatment facilities and digital counselling services across the Union Territory.
The Government informed the Rajya Sabha that it has launched the National Mental Health Survey-2 (NMHS-2) to comprehensively assess the prevalence and patterns of mental illnesses across the country, including in Jammu and Kashmir, with a special focus on vulnerable groups and people affected by prolonged conflict, disasters and substance abuse.
Responding to a question raised by National Conference Rajya Sabha MP Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav said the survey, being conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, will generate updated data on mental health disorders among adolescents aged 13-17 years and adults aged 18 years and above.
The Minister said that, besides estimating the prevalence of mental illnesses, the survey has expanded its scope to study mental health concerns among women, children, senior citizens, tribal communities, migrants and people affected by disasters and climate change.
The Centre's response comes at a time when Jammu and Kashmir has been witnessing growing concern over substance abuse, particularly among the youth, with health experts repeatedly warning that drug addiction is emerging as one of the most serious public health challenges in the Union Territory. The Government acknowledged that substance abuse, along with prolonged conflict and repeated natural calamities, has substantially increased the demand for psychiatric and psychological care.
To address the growing crisis, the Government informed Parliament that 21 Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs) are currently operational across all districts of Jammu and Kashmir, offering specialised treatment, de-addiction services and counselling for individuals suffering from substance use disorders.
The Ministry stated that psychiatry departments equipped with Addiction Treatment Facilities are functioning at Government Medical Colleges in Jammu, Kathua, Udhampur, Rajouri, Doda, Anantnag, Baramulla, Handwara and Bemina. Besides these, District Mental Health Units or Addiction Treatment Facilities are operational in district hospitals at Reasi, Kulgam, Shopian, Pulwama, Budgam, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Kupwara, Ramban, Poonch, Samba and Kishtwar, significantly expanding access to de-addiction and mental healthcare services.
The Government also informed the House that Jammu and Kashmir currently has around 120 psychiatrists and 40 clinical psychologists working in government and private institutions. Of these, nearly 71 psychiatrists and 10 clinical psychologists are serving in government healthcare facilities.
Counselling and psychiatric support are also being provided through District Early Intervention Centres (DEICs), Government Medical Colleges, the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS), Srinagar, and the Tele-MANAS programme, ensuring mental health services are available across all districts.
Highlighting the institutional framework, the Ministry said IMHANS Srinagar, a 160-bed Centre of Excellence under the National Mental Health Programme, continues to function as the nodal institution for psychiatric treatment, professional training and human resource development in the Union Territory.
The Centre further informed Parliament that postgraduate MD Psychiatry courses have been started at Government Medical College, Jammu, as part of efforts to address the shortage of mental health specialists. Mental healthcare is also being integrated into the primary healthcare system to improve accessibility and promote community-based treatment.
According to the Government, 12 medical officers have completed a Diploma in Community Mental Health through NIMHANS, while 10 psychiatrist posts have been approved under the National Mental Health Programme for districts in the Jammu division. Additionally, 30 medical officers have been nominated for a six-month online mental health training programme conducted by NIMHANS to strengthen specialist capacity.
The Government also highlighted the expansion of Tele-MANAS, the national tele-mental health initiative, which provides free telephonic counselling and psychiatric support, making mental healthcare more accessible, affordable and acceptable for people across Jammu and Kashmir, including those living in remote areas.
The Centre maintained that these initiatives are aimed at strengthening the overall mental healthcare ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir, where the combined impact of prolonged conflict, recurring disasters and increasing drug addiction has created an unprecedented demand for psychiatric treatment, counselling and rehabilitation services.
|
