More human resources to be roped in to treat mental illness says a press release from  Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on 

Faced with shortage of manpower for treatment of mental illnesses, the government is working towards increasing the number of professionals required to facilitate medical help for those affected by such diseases.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has already set up 11 centres of excellence and 23 departments of psychiatry in various government medical colleges across the country, to help create more trained manpower in this regard.

As per estimates, the treatment gap of common mental disorders is about 80-90 per cent in developing countries and that for severe mental disorders is approximately 50 per cent in developing countries, even as mental illnesses are the major causes of suicides across the globe.

There is a one to two per cent prevalence of severe mental illness in India, while the overall lifetime prevalence rate of mental disorders is 10 to 12 per cent.

With only about 4,500 psychiatrists across the country (as registered with the Indian Psychiatrist Society), there is a considerable gap in the availability of trained manpower in the country.

To highlight and sensitise the people on mental health problems which pose a big challenge, the National Mental Health Programme of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, is organising a series of activities during the Mental Health Week being observed between October 10 and 17.

Reflecting on the impact of mental health as a serious health problem, Keshav Desiraju, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said, "We must work together to remove the stigma associated with mental illness. Persons with such illness need care, treatment and affection.

For further details log on to:

http://zeenews.india.com/news/health/health-news/govt-for-more-resources-to-treat-mental-illness_14102.html