Country’s first ever Mental Health Policy unveiled                 
Society needs to change perception on mental illness: Dr Harsh Vardhan

Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Health Minister, has said that universal access to mental health care is a specific goal of the government. It would find substantial articulation in the evolving National Health Policy and National Health Assurance Mission (NHAM), he said.

“I visited the famous Institute of Mental Health and Hospital in Agra this week in preparation for the launch of the National Mental Health Policy. I have promised it fresh funds for modernisation and expansion. Similar funds will be given to all hospitals in the country to enable them to open departments for treating patients in need of psychological and psychiatric healthcare,” the Minister said today after launching India’s first Mental Health Policy.

Significantly, the Mental Health Policy was launched on the first ever National Mental Health Day organised by the government.

Source: http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=110417