2022 Union Budget: Experts Discuss The National Tele Mental Health Program Announced By Nirmala Sitharaman
Ever since the Finance Minister of India, Nirmala Sitharaman has announced the plan to set up a National Tele-Mental Health program in the country, everyone from the media to the netizens cannot stop raving about it. The Finance Minister has been hailed for sharing the plan to set up a total of 23 telemental health centres with the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) serving as the nodal centre. This telemental health program will allow people to gain easy access to mental health services and teletherapy which can be beneficial considering the negative impact that the Covid-19 pandemic, lockdown and economic recession had on the mental health of the people across the country. Keeping in mind the current situation we thought to speak to some mental health experts and understand the impact of the pandemic and benefits of the telemental health program announced by Nirmala Sitharaman.
This will include a network of 23 tele mental health centres of excellence with Nimhans being the nodal centre and IIIT Bangalore providing technology support: FM Nirmala Sitharaman #Budget2022 pic.twitter.com/kvnkgmFSkQ
— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2022
We spoke to our ‘friendly neighbourhood therapist’ Divija Bhasin, who holds an MSc in Clinical Psychology from the University of Bath. Speaking about Nirmala Sitharaman’s announcement of the telemental health program, Divija said, “I’m really happy to see some attention being given to mental health. If people see the leaders of our country talking about it more often it will definitely leave an impact.” She further spoke about the importance of enforcing the program with good mental health professionals and shared that it is essential that mental health professionals are non-judgemental and well-trained. Divija is known for making relatable videos as well as sharing mental health awareness content on Instagram.
View this post on Instagram
“If the program is enforced properly then it’ll be very helpful in improving the situation and also create awareness. It all depends on how the process of marketing the program is carried out (if done correctly, more people will approach the counsellors and also talk about it while will lead to more awareness) and also the quality of the counselling being provided,” said the Psychologist. Speaking further, Divija Bhasin said, “Nothing can ‘reverse’ the impact of the pandemic though. It’s all a healing process and no one will be the same even after counselling since the pandemic has changed people and their perspective of life.”
View this post on Instagram
We also spoke to consulting psychiatrist Dr Rahul Khemani. Speaking about Nirmala Sitharaman’s 2022 Budget presentation, Dr Khemani said, “This is an amazing development. It’s a rare moment, maybe even the first time, that someone (that too a leader) has mentioned mental health at such a huge level. Unfortunately, mental health has always been unrecognised especially in underdeveloped and developing countries.” Discussing the mental health problems caused by the pandemic, Dr Rahul Khemani shared, “To be honest, we all know that the pandemic has brought mental health problems and difficulties on almost everyone, be it rich or poor. There have been several studies and researches that have proved that we need more mental health support. More so because as per the statistics, there are very few mental health professionals as compared to the large number of people who are suffering from mental health issues. Keeping in mind this gap, the telemental health program will actually make mental health accessible to people.” He further added that the mention of mental health in the 2022 Union Budget in itself is proof of how important it is. “This move will also reduce the stigma around therapy as that’s one of the biggest reasons why people shy away from seeking help and treatment. This might just help reduce the depression that is there in our country,” said the psychiatrist.
View this post on Instagram
Also Read: Hautetalk: Budget 2022’s Boost To Mental Health Sector Can Benefit Women Who Suffered From COVID-19 Pandemic Induced Anxiety And Depression
Dr Rahul Khemani also spoke about the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown on the mental health of women and healthcare professionals across the nation. “Not many people have pointed this out but the Covid-19 pandemic has also taken a toll on the mental health of healthcare professionals as well as women across the country. And both of these people find it difficult to seek help, especially amid the pandemic because they were overworked, overburdened and overstressed with everything. Women and healthcare professionals were unable to manage all the stress which tipped them over into anxiety and depression. So, this program will also help them. Moreover, this brings forward the fact that women and corona warriors too need help,” said Dr Rahul Khemani. FYI, Dr Khemani completed his DNB in psychiatry from Tamil Nadu and has been working as a consulting psychiatrist for the past four years.
View this post on Instagram
Well, we agree with you doc (not like I can disagree since I see you every week)! Jokes apart, the fact is that the telemental health program will truly help in providing people with easy access to mental healthcare services.
Pregnant Women Suffered More From Depression And Anxiety During Covid-19 Pandemic
