The government has acknowledged the need for a comprehensive assessment of mental health disorders in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir arising from prolonged conflict, natural disasters and substance abuse while informing the Rajya Sabha that mental healthcare services across the Union Territory are being strengthened through infrastructure expansion, specialist recruitment and digital interventions.
Replying to a question raised by National Conference Rajya Sabha MP Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav said the government has launched the National Mental Health Survey-2 (NMHS-2) through the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, to assess the prevalence and patterns of mental illnesses across all states and union territories, including Jammu and Kashmir.
The minister said the survey covers adolescents aged 13 to 17 years and adults aged 18 years and above. Besides assessing mental illnesses, the survey has expanded its scope to examine mental health issues among vulnerable populations, including women, children, the elderly, tribal communities, migrants and people affected by disasters and climate change.
The response comes amid growing concerns over the psychological impact of decades of terrorism, repeated natural disasters and the rising incidence of drug addiction in Jammu and Kashmir, all of which have contributed to an increasing demand for mental healthcare services.
The government informed the House that Jammu and Kashmir currently has around 120 psychiatrists and 40 clinical psychologists serving in both government and private institutions. Of these, nearly 71 psychiatrists and 10 clinical psychologists are posted in government healthcare facilities. Counselling services are also available across all districts through Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs), District Early Intervention Centres (DEICs), Government Medical Colleges and the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS), Srinagar, under the Tele-MANAS programme.
According to the ministry, psychiatry departments equipped with addiction treatment facilities are functional at government medical colleges in Jammu, Kathua, Udhampur, Rajouri, Doda, Anantnag, Baramulla, Handwara and Bemina. District Mental Health Units or Addiction Treatment Facilities are operational in district hospitals at Reasi, Kulgam, Shopian, Pulwama, Budgam, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Kupwara, Ramban, Poonch, Samba and Kishtwar.
The government further stated that the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS), Srinagar, a 160-bed Centre of Excellence under the National Mental Health Programme, continues to function as the nodal institution for psychiatric treatment, training and manpower development in the Union Territory.
The Ministry also informed the Rajya Sabha that 21 addiction treatment facilities are currently functional across all districts of Jammu and Kashmir, providing specialised treatment and counselling for substance use disorders.
The minister further informed that to strengthen mental healthcare services, the government has initiated postgraduate (MD) psychiatry courses at Government Medical College, Jammu, and is integrating mental healthcare into the primary healthcare system to improve accessibility and community-based treatment.
The government further stated that 12 medical officers have completed a diploma in community mental health through NIMHANS, while 10 psychiatrist posts have been approved under the National Mental Health Programme for the districts of the Jammu division. In addition, 30 medical officers have been nominated for a six-month online mental health training programme conducted by NIMHANS.
The government also highlighted the expansion of digital mental healthcare through the Tele-MANAS initiative, which provides telephonic counselling and psychiatric support aimed at improving the accessibility, affordability and acceptability of mental health services across Jammu and Kashmir.
The Centre maintained that these measures are intended to strengthen the mental healthcare ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir, where prolonged conflict, repeated disasters and increasing substance abuse have significantly heightened the demand for psychiatric and psychological support.