SRINAGAR: The Central Government on Tuesday said that Jammu and Kashmir has around 120 psychiatrists and 40 clinical psychologists across government and private institutions, while several initiatives are underway to strengthen mental healthcare services across the Union Territory.
Responding to an unstarred question by Rajya Sabha MP Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said the National Mental Health Survey-2 (NMHS-2) has been launched through the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, covering adolescents aged 13-17 years and adults across all states and Union Territories. The survey includes thematic studies on mental health related to vulnerable groups, climate change, migration and disasters.
The Ministry stated that Jammu and Kashmir has approximately 120 psychiatrists and 40 clinical psychologists in government and private institutions, including about 71 psychiatrists and 10 clinical psychologists serving in government healthcare facilities. Counselling services are available across all districts through Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs), District Early Intervention Centres (DEICs), Government Medical Colleges and Tele-MANAS services operated through IMHANS Srinagar.
According to the reply, Psychiatry Departments with Addiction Treatment Facilities are functional in Government Medical Colleges at Jammu, Kathua, Udhampur, Rajouri, Doda, Anantnag, Baramulla, Handwara and Bemina. District Mental Health Units or Addiction Treatment Facilities are also operational in district hospitals of Reasi, Kulgam, Shopian, Pulwama, Budgam, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Kupwara, Ramban, Poonch, Samba and Kishtwar.
The Government further informed Parliament that IMHANS Srinagar, a 160-bed Centre of Excellence under the National Mental Health Programme, continues to function as the nodal institution for psychiatric care, training and manpower generation. It added that 21 Addiction Treatment Facilities are currently functional across all districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Ministry said multiple measures have been taken to expand mental health services in the Union Territory. These include the introduction of MD Psychiatry at Government Medical College Jammu, integration of mental healthcare into the primary healthcare system, training of medical officers through NIMHANS, approval of 10 psychiatrist posts under the National Mental Health Programme for districts in the Jammu division, nomination of 30 medical officers for advanced mental health training, and expansion of Tele-MANAS digital mental health services to improve accessibility and affordability of care.
