To address the huge burden of mental disorders and shortage of qualified professionals in the field of mental health, Government of India has been implementing National Mental Health Program (NMHP) since 1982. The District Mental Health Program (DMHP) was added to the Program in 1996. The Program was re-strategized in 2003 to include two schemes, viz. Modernization of State Mental Hospitals and Up-gradation of Psychiatric Wings of Medical Colleges / General Hospitals.

Objectives

The main objective of this programme is to provide Community Mental Health Services and integration of mental health with General health services through decentralization of treatment from Specialized Mental Hospital based care to primary health care services.

This programme envisages a community based approach to the problem, which includes:

• To ensure the availability and accessibility of minimum mental healthcare for all in the foreseeable future
• To encourage the application of mental health knowledge in general healthcare and in social development
• To promote community participation in the mental health service development
• To enhance human resource in mental health sub-specialties