News

Volume 2 Issue 20 - October 15, 2004

World Mental Health Day draws attention to mental illness

DNIS News Network - Various functions were organised to mark World Mental Health Day.

Various functions were held in the national capital on the occasion of World Mental Health Day. In one function, Union health minister Mr Anbumani Ramadoss addressed a gathering that included many of the country's leading psychiatrists.

The minister underlined the poor state of infrastructure available to deal with mental illness. Stressing the urgent need to create awareness and build infrastructure to provide basic health care to mentally ill, Ramadoss admitted that India has a huge shortage of qualified medical help. Not only are there many fewer psychiatrists in the country than are needed - only 3,600 - but qualified practitioners are increasingly being poached by countries such as Britain, which offer better research facilities and working environments, he added.

Ramadoss also launched a book on mental health written by the Director General of Health Services, Dr SP Agarwal. The book traces the mental healthcare scene in the country since Independence and includes accounts by leading doctors of the country.

In another function organised by the National Legal Services Authority, the mentally challenged residents of Sudinalay Rehabilitation Shelter met with Chief Justice of India RC Lahoti to discuss the plight of mentally challenged women and children in New Delhi.