Chennai: National Health Mission of Tamil Nadu has released the draft version of the Tamil Nadu State Mental Healthcare Policy and Implementation Framework.
The policy aims at addressing key issues related to mental health including childhood mental illnesses, suicides, substance abuse, homeless people with mental illnesses and geriatric mental illnesses.
The state government has invited the opinion of public on the draft version of the policy.
The key challenges, bottlenecks in the health system and envisions the provision of the optimal medical and psychosocial support to build a healthy and resilient community has been listed in the draft.
The draft policy states that nearly 67 lakh adults (18 years and above) and 3.8 lakh adolescents are likely to be suffering from one or more mental health problems, and therefore, the burden of premature mortality through prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases including behavioural, developmental and neurological disorders, which constitute a major challenge for sustainable development by 2030.
The policy focuses on promotion of mental health by strengthening prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol. “The policy is structured to provide high-quality mental health services at hospitals and at the community level through the promotion of early screening, referral and other preventive mental health services through services in schools, colleges and other community groups. The draft version is available at http://www.nrhmtn.gov.in for public comments,” a senior official at National Health Mission said.
