Maharashtra to start 4 new mental health courses in regional hospitals

The state health department is all set to start four new courses related to mental health in three regional mental hospitals in Thane, Pune and Nagpur.

As per reports, the Maharashtra health department is finally in the process of starting four new courses related to mental health in three regional mental hospitals in Thane, Pune and Nagpur.

The courses are on the management of mental illnesses. This includes diploma courses in psychiatric nursing, MD in psychiatry, M Phil courses in clinical psychology and psychiatric social work.

Indian Express report stated that the initiative has been taken as part of the National Mental Health Mission with an aim to produce more specialists and fill up vacant posts at these hospitals. Mental health is one of the biggest health concerns in India and there is a huge gap in the demand and supply of experts in this sphere of specialised healthcare. Nearly 70% of posts in the four regional hospitals of Maharashtra are lying vacant currently.

Of the nine sanctioned posts for psychiatrists at the Nagpur mental hospital which sees at least 1,400 admissions annually, only three have been filled. The situation in Thane mental hospital is the worst as till August this year, all eight posts of psychiatrists were laying vacant.

"16 students each would be selected for M Phil courses in clinical psychology and psychiatric social work. A total of 40 students would be appointed for diploma courses in psychiatric nursing and another four for MD in psychiatry," said the data by the state health department.

“The current shortage of skilled health workers to provide mental health services will make it difficult to deal with mental health problems in the years to come if the shortage isn’t addressed on time. The need of the hour is thus to increase the number of trained personnel providing mental health services at all levels,” Dr Sadhana Tayade, director of health services said.

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