National Mental Health Policy, India (2014): Where Have We Reached?

The World Health Organization (WHO), in its world health assembly (WHA), 2012, resolved that "there is need of a comprehensive, coordinated response from the health and social sectors at the community level to address the issue of burden of the mental illness."[1] India being a signatory to it, launched her national mental health policy (NMHPolicy) in 2014.[2] The policy was in concordance with WHO's mental health (MH) policy, plan, and program (2005), and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD, 2007). 11 Mental health policy, plans, and programmes (updated version 2) (Mental Health Policy and Service Guidance Package), https://www.who.int/mental%5fhealth/policy/services/2%5fpolicy%20plans%20prog%5fWEB%5f07.pdf?ua=1 (2005, accessed December15,. For instance, universal access to MH care can be realized through effective implementation of the provisions of MHCA (2017), particularly early setting-up of the MHRB across the country (requiring a collaborative effort from both the state and center), which will ensure right-based MH services. [Extracted from the article]