THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even though 12.43 per cent population is suffering from mental illnesses requiring psychiatric intervention, lack of effective rehabilitation and inaccessibility to mental health care facilities in many areas have compounded the problem. The recent state mental health survey conducted in five districts had pointed out that there was immediate need for having effective rehabilitation services to address requirements of people with chronic mental illnesses. During the survey, the biggest demand raised by the people was about putting up short stay homes, long stay homes and day care centres.
Almost four years have passed since State Mental Health Policy recommended opening of such centres, but the progress is quite slow. Experts say more psychiatric rehabilitation services and day care centres were required to address the needs of patients with chronic mental ailments. The families of patients have also called for the vocational rehabilitation services. While the state government’s initiative to start two day care centres in each district under the comprehensive mental health programme has been widely appreciated, the authorities are yet implement it effectively on the ground.
Considering the high cost of treatment in private sector, there is also a big demand for expanding the services in public sector. The mental health survey had called for allocating more financial support and manpower resources for carrying out mental health care activities in the state. Many in the field say that depressive disorders and other mental health issues are widely prevalent and cannot be managed by psychiatrist alone. Most cases of depression can be managed by non specialist health care providers like primary care doctors and other medical specialists. Hence there is need for investing in training of non specialist health care providers.
