Vice-president of Indian Psychiatric Society and Professor of Psychiatry, NIMHANS, Dr Mathew Verghese has said that welfare of mentally ill persons was not a concern of doctors alone.

“Family members and friends of the affected, NGOs and police also needed to join in,” he said, while speaking at the inauguration of ‘Workshop on Mental Health Act, 1987,’ in Bangalore on Saturday.

The workshop was organised by Karnataka State Legal Services Authority (KSLSA), Karnataka State Mental Health Authority, Karnataka Association of Psychiatric Disability and Department for Welfare of Disabled.

There were informative sessions on procedures for admission and detention in psychiatric institutions as well as rights and benefits available for mentally ill persons. More than 200 people including mentally ill persons, judicial magistrates of the city and members of organising institutions participated.

Insufficient

Dr Mathew said, about two per cent of country’s population suffers from severe mental disorders and seven to 10 per cent from mild disorders including general anxiety and depression. As many as 25 per cent of people with physical disorders are susceptible to mental disorders, he said.

However, he regretted that therapists were not available in required numbers. Only about 3,500 psychiatrists and 2,500 related social workers are in the country, he said adding that a large number of mental hospitals were in pathetic state.

Programmes

In view of changing economic and cultural circumstances, mental health requires more attention, he said. India is the first developing country to device National Mental Health Programmes to offer mental health service at grass root levels. The Programme now aims to reach all districts, he said.

Act

KSLSA Executive Chairman Justice V Gopala Gowda said that Central and State governments were bound by Constitutional provisions to ensure health service to all citizens including the mentally ill. Proper implementation of Mental Health Act was an essential step in this regard. If government does not take suitable steps, KSLSA would contemplate filing a public interest litigation seeking the Act’s enforcement, he said.

Justice Gowda called upon voluntary organisations, lawyers and media to play active role in ensuring the rights of the mentally ill persons. Justice Ajit J Gunjal, who presided over, said each person could contribute to ensure welfare of mentally ill.