A day-long National Human Rights Commission (National Human Rights Commission of India) National Level Review Meeting on Mental Health concluded at the India International Centre, New Delhi, highlighting key gaps between legislation and its implementation.
Inaugurating the meeting, NHRC Chairperson Justice H.L. Dattu stated that while efforts to improve mental healthcare in India have been made, a significant gap persists between demand and availability of services.
He flagged serious concerns regarding workforce shortages:
Required psychiatrists: 13,500 | Available: 3,827
Required clinical psychologists: 20,250 | Available: 898
Acute shortage also exists in para-medical staff
He also raised concerns about prisoners with mental health conditions, emphasizing that their protection is a state obligation under Section 103 of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, as reinforced by Supreme Court rulings.
Union Health & Family Welfare Secretary Preeti Sudan noted that the central government is actively working to strengthen mental healthcare, but emphasized the need for stronger state-level implementation. She stated that funding is not the main constraint; rather, states must submit timely proposals and expenditure reports.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, including Sanjeeva Kumar and Lav Agarwal, echoed similar views. They noted that only 19 states have implemented the Mental Healthcare Act so far, and highlighted that approximately 10.6% of India’s adult population is affected by mental health issues, requiring stronger legal, medical, and social support systems.
NHRC Secretary General Jaideep Govind outlined the Commission’s initiatives, including expanded complaint mechanisms and integration of its online system with over three lakh Common Service Centres nationwide.
In concluding remarks, NHRC Member Justice P.C. Pant expressed optimism that the recommendations from the meeting would help bridge the gap between legislation and implementation. He urged state governments to intensify efforts to improve mental healthcare delivery.
The meeting included participation from representatives of Union Ministries, State Governments, State Human Rights Commissions, medical and nursing councils, mental health institutions, experts, NGOs, and civil society organizations.
