The Ministry of Women and Child Development recently launched the 2nd phase of the SAMVAD programme. Initiated a year ago, this initiative aims to provide mental health outreach to children who are abandoned, orphaned, survivors of trafficking, or in conflict with the law. This second phase comes on the heels of the “PM-CARES for Children” scheme, launched earlier by the government, aimed at children orphaned due to Covid-19.
About SAMVAD
SAMVAD stands for Support, Advocacy & Mental health interventions for children in Vulnerable circumstances and Distress. The mental health initiative is funded and overseen by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) leads the implementation. Recognized as the apex center for mental health and neuroscience education, NIMHANS operates autonomously under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Recently, NIMHANS responded to a request from the Ministry of Home Affairs and issued guidelines for managing the mental health issues of prisoners and prison staff.
SAMVAD’s Purpose and Mechanism
SAMVAD is an integrated national resource working in child protection, providing mental health and psychosocial care to children living in difficult circumstances. The program encompasses specialized training curriculum on childhood trauma, interventions for children in conflict with the law, forensics in child and adolescent psychiatry and mental health. It also provides education and extends mental health support to children with special needs and care in adoption contexts.
The program trains nearly 100,000 stakeholders, including Child Protection Functionaries, tele-counselors, educators, and law professionals, to equip them with coping mechanisms for children in distress.
Integration with Local Bodies
SAMVAD aims to foster care and integrate child protection and mental health in the Panchayati Raj systems across aspirational districts in India. The goal is to facilitate awareness generation and improve service delivery at the grassroots level.
Mental Health Importance
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines mental health as a state of well-being where individuals realize their abilities, manage life stresses, can work productively and fruitfully, and contribute to their community. Like physical health, mental health is critical at every life stage, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
Mental Health Scenario in India
According to a report by The Lancet Psychiatry published in February 2020, there were about 197.3 million people suffering from mental disorders in India in 2017. The top mental illnesses were depressive disorder (45.7 million) and anxiety disorder (44.9 million). Furthermore, the contribution of mental disorders to total disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in India increased from 2.5% in 1990 to 4.7% in 2017.
Government Initiative for Mental Health Care
The Indian government has been implementing the National Mental Health Program (NMHP) since 1982 to address the burden of mental disorders and shortage of professionals in this field. In 2003, the NMHP was re-strategized to include two schemes: Modernization of State Mental Hospitals and Up-gradation of Psychiatric Wings of Medical Colleges/General Hospitals.
Mental HealthCare Act 2017
The Mental HealthCare Act 2017 guarantees access to mental healthcare and treatment from services run or funded by the government for every affected person. This act came into force in 2018 to align with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which India ratified in 2007.
Other Initiatives for Mental Health Care
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched KIRAN, a 24/7 toll-free helpline to provide support to people facing anxiety, stress, depression, suicidal thoughts, and other mental health issues. The Manodarpan Initiative is another significant step by the Ministry of Education under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. This initiative aims to provide psychosocial support to students, family members, and teachers for their mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.
