Only 898 psychologists against requirement of 20250: Govt
New Delhi: There are only 898 psychologists against 20,250 required in the country and less than 900 psychiatric social workers against the 37,000 needed, the Lok Sabha has been informed.
As of January 2015, there were 3,827 psychiatrists against the 13,500 required in the country, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel informed the House yesterday.
Also, presently there are only 1,500 psychiatric nurses against 3,000, she said in response to a question on shortage of mental health professionals in India.
According to the 2011 Census, more than 7.22 lakh people across the country were suffering from "mental illness", while over 15 lakh were "mentally retarded".
With 76,603 people suffering from some sort of mental illness, Uttar Pradesh has the highest number in the country followed by West Bengal at 71,515, Kerala at 66,915 and Maharashtra at 58,753.
Our comments section is governed by our Comments Policy . By posting comments at Medical Dialogues you automatically agree with our Comments Policy , Terms And Conditions and Privacy Policy .
Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.
NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.