National Mental Health Survey of India 2015-16

NMHS
outcomes. Thus, in the present context, a
systems approach to mental health becomes
critical not only to advance mental health but
will also have implications on the nation’s
achievement of Sustainable Developmental
Goals (SDGs) (7). (Refer to Box 1 for details)
1.2 Mental health
systems
A mental health system represents a means by
which effective interventions for mental health
are delivered. It characterises the nature, extent
and quality of mental health care services in a
country. A mental health system encompasses
all organizations and resources with a set of
interconnected elements and activities that
are focused on promoting, restoring, or
maintaining mental health(8).
Figure 2: Key Components of mental health system
The key components of a mental health
system are: policy and legislative
framework, community mental health
services, mental health in primary health
care, human resources, public education,
links with other sectors, and monitoring and
research (9). These components/domains are
interdependent, conceptually linked, and
somewhat overlapping. Understanding and
addressing these relationships will be crucial
in strengthening the mental health system in
India.
1. Policy and legislative framework
covers mental health policy, mental
health plan, mental health legislation,
monitoring and training on human
rights and financing of mental health
services.
2. Mental health services cover
organizational integration of mental
health services, mental health outpatient
facilities, day treatment facilities,
community-based psychiatric inpatient
units, community residential facilities,
mental hospitals and other residential
facilities. It also deals with the availability
of psychosocial treatment in mental
health facilities, ensures the continuous
and uninterrupted supply of essential
psychotropic medicines and equity of
access to mental health services.
3. Mental health in primary health care
covers the areas of physician-based primary
health care, non-physician-based
primary health care interaction with
complementary/alternative/traditional
practitioners.
4. Human resources include the number
of people, training for professionals
and para/allied professionals in mental
health, user/consumer and family
associations, activities of consumer
associations, family associations and
other Non Governmental Orgnisations
(NGOs).
5. Public education and link with other
sectors focuses on public education
and awareness campaigns on mental
health, links with other sectors, formal
and informal collaboration with other
sectors and each other’s activities.
SMHSA
3