Mental Healthcare In Rural India Is Virtually Non-Existent

In a country where ordinary rural health care is still a rarity in many parts, mental health care in villages is clearly a far off dream.

Due to a glaring lack of trained health workers in Indian villages, providing basic mental health care is a Herculean task.

Recently, around 30,000 villagers in 42 villages of the West Godavari region in Andhra Pradesh were screened for depression, anxiety disorders, suicidal risks and other mental health problems under the SMART Mental Health program of George Institute of Global Health, India.

Anti-stigma campaigns were carried out in villages along with poster campaigns, street plays and mobile interventions to spread awareness about mental health illnesses.

Deputy Director and Head of Research at the George Institute for Global Health - India, Dr Pallab Maulik, said, “We’ve trained the local primary health workers as well as the primary health centre doctors. These people are generally among the first ones whose help the villagers seek in times of distress.”

“We tried to help villagers understand that mental disorders are a problem worldwide and aren’t something to shy away from. The campaign has led to increased knowledge and positive attitude changes. Accessible mental health services are important in these areas.”

Depression is a silent killer. The key is to be empathetic and not sympathetic towards the sufferer.

Dr Maulik explained, “Be patient and hear out those who’re depressed. Be neutral and not subjective. Don’t make untoward comments. People suffering from depression deserve to be heard properly.”