27 December 2015 (Source ‘The Hindu’)
A team of nearly 60 experts from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), which is leading the National Mental Health Survey (NMHS) with support from the Union Health Ministry, is busy monitoring the data collection in 12 States where it is being undertaken.
To estimate the prevalence, patterns and burden of mental, neurological and substance use disorders in a representative population of the country, identify treatment gaps and service utilization patterns, and assess the current mental health resources, the Union Ministry entrusted NIMHANS with the mammoth task of conducting the survey.
G. Gururaj, head of the Department of Epidemiology at NIMHANS, told that the findings of the pilot study that covered 3,000 people would be released in February. “The pilot study helped us finalize the methodology for the final study. NIMHANS in-charge Director P. Satish Chandra said the survey would help the government plan interventions in the mental health care sector. “It will help not only in stepping up awareness on mental health, but also in creating facilities to treat people with mental health problems,” he said.
“Although the survey was to be completed by March 2016 as per the original plan, we may wind it up with a tentative report only by April. The final report will be submitted to the Union Ministry in June.
*The survey is on in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Manipur, Jharkand andWest Bengal
*Team of nearly 60 experts from NIMHANS monitoring data collection in these States
*The survey aims to estimate the prevalence, patterns and burden of mental, neurological and substance use disorders in a representative population of the country
*It will also help identify treatment gaps and service utilisation patterns, and assess the current mental health resources
