15 crore Indians need mental health help, mental patients are getting free treatment facility in Punjab

Chandigarh: Due to cashless health coverage available under ‘Mukhyamantri Sehat Yojana’, more people in Punjab are now getting treated for mental health related illnesses. Sharing this information, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh today said that the objective of this scheme is to reduce the financial barriers to treatment and to motivate people to get timely treatment.

The Health Minister said that under this scheme, treatment of many mental diseases including schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, stress related problems and mental health conditions related to drug addiction is included. He said, "Advanced treatment facilities like Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and necessary investigative methods in government hospitals are also covered under the approved package."

Mental health continues to be a serious public health challenge in India. According to the World Health Organization and National Mental Health Survey (NIMHANS, 2016), about 15 to 20 crore people in the country are suffering from depression, anxiety and other mental health problems. However, due to negative attitudes of the society, lack of awareness and lack of mental health experts especially in rural and semi-urban areas, many people still do not get timely treatment.

Dr. Balbir Singh said, "Mental health should get equal priority as physical health. Conditions such as depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and anxiety are effectively treatable, so people should not delay seeking professional help. Due to increasing awareness, better availability of services and facility of cashless treatment under Mukhyamantri Sehat Yojana, more patients are coming forward for treatment at the initial stage of the disease, thereby reducing the delay in diagnosis and treatment."

He appealed to people experiencing mental health related symptoms to get timely treatment in government health institutions and said that early treatment can avoid long-term complications. He told, "Under the Mukhyamantri Sehat Yojana, out of 2300 procedures available in government hospitals of the state, 81 procedures are reserved for the mental health related package."

Dr. Singh also shared, "Problems like stress, depression and anxiety are often related to our daily lifestyle. Through ‘CM The Yogashala’ we are promoting Yoga as an effective tool for mental health, emotional balance and healthy living. A peaceful mind is the basis of a healthy heart and together we are building a healthy Punjab."

According to data from the State Health Agency (SHA), Punjab, so far 457 beneficiaries have received treatment under mental health packages in government hospitals. Under these services, claims worth approximately Rs 55 lakh have been settled so far.

Dr. Gagandeep Sekhon, consultant psychiatrist of Civil Hospital, Barnala, said that awareness towards mental health is gradually increasing. He said, "People have now started to understand that mental health related illnesses are like other physical illnesses and timely treatment is necessary. Earlier, people were hesitant in taking help due to social stigma and financial constraints."

Dr. Gagandeep Sekhon said that academic pressure, employment uncertainty, economic stress, excessive use of social media and lack of social support are the main reasons affecting mental health. He said, "People in the age group of 18 to 45 years are especially more vulnerable as they are going through many important life changes. The pressure of higher education, employment uncertainty, workplace stress, relationship challenges and increasing financial responsibilities affect their mental health."

He further said that fast-paced lifestyle, decreasing family interaction, increasing use of digital media and work-related stress are becoming the main reasons for increase in mental health problems. He said, "Young people are being affected the most as they juggle education, employment, relationships and economic pressures while often lacking the tools they need to deal with these challenges."

What did Gagandeep Sekhon say?

Dr. Gagandeep Sekhon also said that the cashless treatment facility available under the Mukhyamantri Swasthya Yojana has encouraged more people to come to the hospitals for consultation and treatment. He said, "Timely intervention is essential to ensure better outcomes and prevent complications."