National Mental Health Survey of India 2015-16

NMHS
• Sample surveys on representative
populations at should be undertaken
at defined intervals to independently
measure status and progress.
• As evaluation is critical in measuring
the outcomes and impact, mental
health programmes should be
evaluated by external agencies every
5 years.
15. The research base in mental health
should be strengthened with a focus on
the following areas
• Prioritised mental health questions
should be included in the regular
ongoing national surveys like NCD
risk factor survey, National Family
and Health Survey, National Sample
Survey Organisation (NSSO) and
others.
• Delineating the burden and impact of
mental and substance use disorders in
primary care settings using uniform
and standardised techniques.
• Operational research focusing on
programme pitfalls and achievements,
barriers and challenges, integration
mechanisms and coordination
challenges.
• Expanding the present survey on
adolescents in the 13 – 17 years group
(implemented as a pilot study) to
larger populations.
• Understanding the treatment gap to
unfurl macro and micro level issues
from both demand and supply angles.
• Identifying risk and protective factors
involved in causation, recovery
and outcome of different mental
disorders.
• Understanding cultural perceptions
and beliefs with regard to mental
health for increasing the utilisation of
mental health services.
• Use of m-health and e-health
to develop services, databases,
registries, distant care and promote
convergence with other programmes.
• Comprehensive understanding of the
rehabilitation needs of the mentally
ill at the district and state levels along
with a longitudinal follow-up of
affected individuals.
• Better understanding of the economic
impact of mental health disorders
that include both direct and indirect
costs.
• Evaluating the different strategies for
mental health promotion
• National agencies like Indian Council
for Medical Research (ICMR),
Indian Council of Social Science
Research (ICSSR), Department of
Biotechnology (DBT), Department Of
Science & Technology (DST), private
sector and international agencies
like World Health Organisation
(WHO) and other United Nations
(UN) agencies should dedicate and
enhance research funds for mental
and substance use disorders.
A National Empowered Commission on Mental Health, comprising of professionals from mental health,
public health, social sciences, the judiciary and related backgrounds should be constituted to oversee,
support, facilitate, monitor and review mental health policies – plans – programmes in a continuous
manner. Such a task force that works closely with the Ministries of Health at the national and state levels
can provide strategic directions for mental health care programming to ensure speedy implementation
of programmes.
SMHSA
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