Essay --

CHAPTER 3 STATUS OF MENTAL HEALTH CARE AVAILABLE IN THE COUNTRY People affected by mental health conditions are forced to hide their illness to avoid discrimination, which they might be subjected to in all aspects of their lives, even in healthcare settings where they receive poorer quality care. This is one of the reasons why people with mental health conditions live shorter lives. But, most tragic of all are the frank human rights abuses, from eviction, to chaining, and to violence, endured by people in their homes, in mental hospitals and in traditional healing centres. It is no surprise that a substantial proportion of the homeless in India’s cities are affected by a mental health condition. (Vikram Patel, Legislating the Right to Care for Mental Illness) Vikram Patel believes that the sophisticated and complicated psychiatry scares many people. His agenda is to demystify the mental health. Community based epidemiological studies have estimated the life-time prevalence of mental disorders to range from 12†¢2% to 48†¢6%, according to the WHO Mental Health GAP Action Programme. Data for India show a prevalence of 200 cases per 1,00,000 people for schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder, respectively, while three in 10,000 people experience an episode of acute psychosis every year. Additionally, 1% of people have severe mental disorders. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare estimates that 6—7% of India's population suffers from a mental disorder. (http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(10)62083-1/fulltext) This is coupled with the fact that the vast majority of mentally ill and their families do not have their mental condition recognised and do not have access to the right kind of treatments. A wide range... ...HM), India's flagship initiative to integrate vertical health programmes under one umbrella, has yet to be achieved.(http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(10)62083-1/fulltext ) Presently, most of the rural population approach traditional healers(religious saints,tantriks(black magicians), unregistered medical practitioners, and quacks) for treating mental health problems. The so-called therapy, conducted by witch doctors or family members, can include chaining up the mentally ill, chanting spells, poking them with pins, or beating them "to force the evil spirits out." Serious response mechanisms to tackle the dismissal state of mental health in India need to be urgently undertaken. The following chapter would deal with this structure that, which when implemented, would ensure an earnest redressalof lacunae of mental health in the country.