Psychiatrists body, Punjab Health Minister discuss new mental health policy

Chandigarh: Taking cognizance of the importance of forming policies for mental health problems, the Association of Psychiatrists (AOP) representatives last week met Punjab health minister Dr Balbir Singh at his secretariat office in Chandigarh to discuss the formation of mental health policies. 

Director of Health Services (DHS) Ranjit Singh was also present in a first-of-its-kind meeting by a health minister. The psychiatrists' group considered numerous topics related to mental health in the state, particularly as there has been a significant increase in the number of suicide and death by drug overdose cases, reports the daily.

During the meeting, Balbir Singh concurred that there was a pressing need to reform the state's current mental health policy and that private psychiatrists should also be given due importance in the process because there are more private facilities than government hospitals. Moreover, patients are also more likely to seek treatment in private clinics for mental health issues because of the social stigma that still surrounds mental illnesses, reports Hindustan Times.

AOP representatives welcomed the move while highlighting their other grievances and pending issues. The health minister and DHS have assured the doctors that immediate steps will be taken to act on the demands.

It was also discussed at the meeting how the government's efforts to create a state free of illegal drugs depend on private-sector psychiatrists. The doctors also demanded that the outpatient-based de-addiction centres should be made functional as per the Punjab government’s decision in the year 2020.

The topic of the Mental Health Care Act (MHCA) 2017's partial implementation in the state was also brought up because, as a core legislation, it enables the formation of fully operational mental health review boards and also ensures a straightforward and efficient registration process for any mental health facility (MHRBs).

The act will ensure that the rights of patients are not violated by any inhumane treatment of mental health establishments. Thus it will also solve the problem of unethical practices which has been an issue of concern for the authorities for a long time. Currently, yearly provisional registrations are being issued to hospitals. The Doctors' body pointed out that though the process is not expensive but it is unnecessary.