Mental health services are gradually making their way into primary health care packages. On December 3, 2024, The Union Health Minister, J P Nadda, told the Rajya Sabha about mental health services that have been added to the comprehensive healthcare packages provided at the Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.

These Arogya Mandirs, formerly known as the Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs), are part of the larger Ayushman Bharat Yojana scheme to provide healthcare services to eligible beneficiaries. Ayushman Bharat Yojana’s other component is Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), which provides Rs 5 lakh health insurance to its beneficiaries.   

Around 1.73 lakh sub-health and primary-health centres have been upgraded to Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, said Nadda in reply to a question.

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Mental Health Facilities Under The District Mental Health Programme (DMHP):

Mental health is gradually becoming a part of the conversation. Under the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP), mental healthcare services are offered. Reportedly, the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP), which comes under the NMHP, has been implemented in more than 760 districts across the country to detect mental illness and offer treatment at district hospitals.  

The district-level sub-health and primary-health centres are equipped to offer mental health care services, including outpatient services, assessment of illness, counseling or psycho-social interventions, continuing and regular care and support to patients having severe mental disorders, as well as providing ambulance services, outreach services, etc.   

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National Tele Mental Health Programme (NTMHP) For Tele-Counselling:

The digital mode is also being used to offer mental health care services to benefit more people. The National Tele Mental Health Programme (NTMHP) offers 24-hour tele-counselling service in the mental healthcare space. Its toll-free helpline number ‘14416’ works 24*7 across the country and offers tele-mental health services to whoever reaches out.

Tele-MANAS Mobile App For Better Support To Vulnerable Sections Of People:

Tele-MANAS mobile app was launched on October 10, this year, to help people grappling with mental health issues ranging from ‘well-being to mental disorder’, reported PTI citing Nadda.

There were 53 Tele-MANAS Cells as of November 22, 2024, set up by the states and Union Territories.