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MHCA mandates monthly reporting to the MHRBs of restraints imposed on the PwMI in the MHEs (Section 97). CB-MH services must be strengthened by effectively implementing DMHP and CB-MH services for ensuring the rights of PwMI to receive treatment in the least restrictive environment. Sir, The Mental Health Care Act, 2017,[1] was implemented in the country for ensuring the rights of persons with mental illness (PwMI).[2] Since its launch, it has been critiqued by the scientific community, highlighting its shortcomings and issues with implementation.[3]-[5] However, such critiques did not explicitly highlight the issues with the implementation of the MHCA in routine clinical discourse. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Mental health issues are common among college students, and structured services have been proven to enhance outcomes. Despite increased enrolment for higher education in India, college mental health services remain sparse. JEEVANI is the first structured state-wide college mental health service in India. This paper describes its framework and provides an overview of its functioning during the initial five months. Methods: In 2019–2020, the Directorate of Collegiate Education, Government of Kerala, implemented the program in 66 colleges catering to approximately 60,000 students. Qualified counsellors were trained to identify issues and provide interventions and early referrals, using a stepped-care approach. They conducted awareness programs to promote mental health and reduce stigma. Results: The services were accessed by 2,315 students during the assessment period (October 2019 to February 2020). The beneficiaries were predominantly females (54.1%). Over a third (38.8%) belonged to the lower socio-economic strata, and 2.5% had significant vulnerabilities. Although no syndromal diagnoses were made, anxiety and depression were the most common presentations. The counsellors provided 3,758 individual sessions and facilitated support for students who reported academic difficulties or interpersonal issues. Severe mental illness was detected in 54 students, and referrals for specialist mental health input were initiated in 68. Conclusion: Describing the framework, sharing the technical material, and providing an overview of its functioning from a resource-constrained setting in India may encourage higher education institutions in low- and middle-income countries to consider similar projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this brief paper, we will look at whether doctors who experience mental health difficulties require specialist treatment services. This said, we acknowledge that not all would subscribe to the view that doctors are "different", and debating this issue is crucial in answering the question we pose in this paper - "Are specialist treatment services needed for doctors with mental health problems?" 19 Brooks SK, Gerada C, Chalder T. The specific needs of doctors with mental health problems: Qualitative analysis of doctor-patients' experiences with the Practitioner Health Programme. [Extracted from the article]

Background: India has the second-largest population of elderly in the world. Serious mental illness (SMI) is a subset of the mental disorders that result in significant functional impairment and is usually long term. Persons with SMI face several challenges in their old age that are different from the issues faced by younger people with SMI. Understanding the problems faced by elderly individuals suffering from SMI is fundamental for planning programs to address them. The SENIOR (Support Systems Evaluation of Neuropsychiatric Illness in Old age) project is a study aimed at evaluating the problems faced in obtaining mental health care by elderly persons having SMI in the Kerala state of India. Aim: To describe the scientific methodology of the SENIOR project. Methods: This study employs mixed-methods cross-sectional design among a minimum sample of 768 SMI patients identified through cluster sampling from three districts, and Focus Group Discussion among mental health program officials. Discussion: This paper presents a methodological model to assist researchers in future field epidemiological studies on mental illness. Assessing service needs and barriers to access for the most vulnerable among the mentally ill will help the policymakers make evidence-based decisions to improve their quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: COVID-19 has a profound impact on people with existing mental disorders, augmenting the prevailing inequalities in mental health. Methods: In order to understand the status of telepsychiatry in India and the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in mental health and its potential applications, a scoping review was done between March 2020 and May 2020. The literature review revealed 253 papers, which were used to derive the primary framework for analysis. The information was then reviewed for ideas and concepts, which were integrated with evidence from gray literature and categorized under broader themes based on the insights derived. Finally, a thematic framework was developed for discussion to tailor scientific information for decision-makers' needs. Results: Review findings are summarized under the following headings: changing patterns of health-seeking behavior, origin and evolution of telepsychiatry, possible applications of telepsychiatry and AI, technological features, and AI models in mental health. Conclusions: Though there are several potential opportunities, the time is not yet ripe for telepsychiatry and AI to be adopted fully in the field of mental health care. But it is time that we develop indigenous proprietary technology and test and validate it. With many solutions offered by telepsychiatry and AI, psychiatrists must choose an appropriate tool based on their requirements, availability of resources, and feasibility of deployment. Harmony between conventional care and technology-based care must be reached gradually. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Los Angeles, http://smhp.psych.ucla.edu/pdfdocs/nurses/unit1.pdf 31 Andrews FT, Avarachan A, and Daniel J. A descriptive study to assess the availability and utilization of school health services in government schools as reported by the school health nurses working under school health scheme in New Delhi. 8 Parikh R, Michelson D, Sapru M. Priorities and preferences for school-based mental health services in India: A multi-stakeholder study with adolescents, parents, school staff, and mental health providers. Worldwide, an estimated 13% of youth under 18 years of age have significant mental health problems. SP sp [1] SP , sp [2] SP sp Also, a significant percentage of mental health issues have their onset below 25 years of age. School mental health sustainability: Funding strategies to build sustainable school mental health programs: Washington, DC; Technical Assistance Partnership for Child and Family Mental Health. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Mental Health apps (MH apps) could help address the huge unmet mental health care need of developing countries. This study aimed to explore potential ethical, data safety, and privacy issues associated with using MH apps for depression. Methods: A cross-sectional assessment of the top 50 MH apps (by Google Play store search result ordering) for depression available in India was conducted in November 2021. Results: Most apps were listed under the category of health and fitness (54%). The median number of total and dangerous permissions requested at the time of download was nine and three, respectively. Privacy policy in English was available for 76%. The average length of the privacy policy was 2171 words, and the mean Flesch-Kincaid reading grade level was 12 (much higher than the recommended cut-off of eight). Important features relevant to safeguarding consumer confidentiality, including names of third parties with which user data could be shared (42%), explicit consent before sharing data with third parties (16%), and assurance regarding the collection of de-identifiable data (11%), were missing from the majority of privacy policies. Conclusion: There is an urgent need to improve the accessibility and usability of privacy policies by app developers, with the active involvement of other stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increased levels of psychological distress in the population and the disruption of traditional mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic have widened the mental health treatment gap that already existed even prior to the onset of the pandemic.[2] Additionally, there is significant stigma attached to mental-health-treatment seeking, especially in low- and middle-income countries.[3] The culmination of these different factors has provided a fertile ground for the mushrooming of mobile health apps for mental health disorders and wellbeing.[4] People advocating the use of mental health apps (MHapps) often describe the potential of these apps in delivering mental health services discretely to people living in even remote and rural locations, in turn reducing the huge mental health treatment gap. Rapidly increasing smartphone ownership among the majority of the world's population and increasing internet penetration through relatively cheaper mobile data usage plans have led to the development and popularization of various mobile applications (apps).[1] These apps are third-party software apps that utilize mobile and/or other related devices' hardware (e.g., wearable sensors, such as a smartwatch) along with or without internet communication technology and enable users to perform a wide range of different tasks related to varied fields, such as trade, commerce, education, entertainment, or health, through their smartphones. Do mental health mobile apps work: Evidence and recommendations for designing high-efficacy mental health mobile apps. [Extracted from the article]

We postulate that sensationalist media coverage and public statements by mental health professionals may also contribute to a potentially volatile situation in the aftermath of a celebrity suicide. With regard to Mr Rajput, statements were made by mental health professionals around the world about his mental health and speculating upon reasons for his suicide, including discussion of personal details and relationships. Several public figures, mental health professionals, and lifestyle advisors have appeared in news coverage, discussing their personal relationship with or proffering a professional opinion of Mr Sushant Singh Rajput. [Extracted from the article]

There is a strong body of evidence which points to the utility of psychological interventions in the field of mental health. Innovations in the field of mental health directed at improving access to mental health services have tended to typically focus maximally on supply-side- barriers. These include innovative ways of improving the supply of mental health professionals offering a range of interventions, the supply of trained non-specialists offering basic psychological interventions, early identification and timely referrals in general/primary health services, and reducing structural and organisational barriers. Moreover, about 70% of the users reported that they had no exposure to mental health services at any time in the past, and only about 12% were currently seeking mental health professional services. [Extracted from the article]

Globally, telepsychiatry has been around since the 1950s. It is in the COVID era that it has gained the relevance and much-needed momentum amongst mental health care professionals. Given the restrictions imposed by the global lockdown owing to the fear of contracting the virus, the ease of access and safety offered by telepsychiatry makes it both appealing and "the new normal." Despite some hesitation from mental health professionals, there is adequate research to support the role of telehealth services in the management of various mental health disorders. As with any formal system, the practice of telepsychiatry is regulated by professional guidelines to show the way forward to both health provider and seeker. The manuscript examines the ways telepsychiatry is redefining our virtual conduct. It emphasizes the evolving "netiquette" needed to navigate online consultations. It also elucidates the challenges faced by health professionals, and possible ways of maneuvering and circumventing the same. Telepsychiatry, a dynamic process which is interactive and personalized, adds a third dimension to the practice of modern medicine. It is here to stay. So, it is not a question of "if" instead "how soon" we can adapt to and get conversant with this revolutionary mode of connection, communication, and consultation, which will make all the difference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]