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presidential address

Presidential Address
Address delivered at the ANCIPS 2009 in Agra on 9th January 2009

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Mental health Scenario in India

Obviously, in a vast country like ours, the threat posed by the psychiatric and behavioral disorders is just inexplicable. A meta-analysis of 13 epidemiological studies consisting of 33,572 persons reported a total morbidity of 58.2 per 1000. Another meta-analysis of 15 epidemiological studies reported a total morbidity of 73 per 1000.The saddest aspect is that the bulk of affected falls in the 15 to 45 year age group. The existing facilities in the country fall short of required norms which makes the story still worse. The number of psychiatric beds in the country is only about 0.2 per 1, 00,000 population and there are only two psychiatrists per 10 lakh population. The major share of psychiatric facilities lies with the government sector (especially mental hospitals) which is centred on certain areas of particular states. The psychiatric services have not yet been integrated to primary health care system and this leaves large populations in dire need of such facilities with no hope of effective treatment. Therefore they seek help from the private sector and there are no clear policies regarding treatment of the mentally ill in the private sector. A significant population in India cannot afford private hospital care and the insurance system in the country is in its infancy. The rehabilitation of psychiatric patients is also given little importance in the existing mental health framework. The integration of psychiatric services to primary care needs public-private partnership to enable a comprehensive mental health care.

Indian Psychiatric Society Evolution

Our society sprouted from the Indian Association for mental hygiene founded in 1929 by Berkeley Hill. In 1935, the Indian division of the Royal Medico- Psychological Association was formed due to the efforts of Dr. Banarasi Das. Thanks to the efforts of Dr. Nagendra Nath De, Major R. B. Davis and Brigadier T. A. Munro, the association gained its new name, the Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS) on 7th January 1947.The rules & regulations were framed by the eminent Psychiatrists of that period (Dhunjibhoy, Rosie, Kenton, Llyodo, Masani, Shah, Johnson, Govindaswamy and Kak). The first annual meeting held on 2nd January 1948 at Patna was presided by N.N. De 11,12 .The society has enlarged into a group of 2000 fellows (right of franchise) and many ordinary members. The activities of IPS are also delegated to state branches coming under five zones. The objectives of the society are very comprehensive.13

• Promote and advance the subject of Psychiatry and allied sciences in all their different branches.
• Promote the improvement of the mental health of the people and mental health education.
• Promote prevention, control, treatment and relief of all psychiatric disabilities.
• Formulate and advise on the standards of education and training for medical and auxiliary personnel in psychiatry and to recommend adequate teaching facilities for the purpose.
• Promote research in the field of psychiatry and mental health. Propagate the principles of psychiatry and current development in psychiatric thought.
• Deal with any matters relating to mental health concerning the country and to do all other things as are cognate to the subjects of the Indian Psychiatric Society.
• Safeguard the interest of Psychiatrists and fellow professionals in India.
• Promote ethical standards in the practice of psychiatry in India.

It is worthwhile to introspect on our achievements and deficits.

The achievements include academic updates as part of professional development, publications like IDEAS and Clinical Practice Guidelines, and the Indian Journal of Psychiatry. Some efforts have been done on mental health literacy and community service strategies. Although psychiatrists are involved in NMHP (National Mental Health Programme) and DMHP (District Mental Health Programme), the society’s involvement as a stakeholder is still not appreciated. The same is true for other mental health policies and programmes.

IPS should

• Be a stakeholder in mental health policy matters
• Have its publications on mental health issues.
• Try to get its journal indexed in international databases.
• Actively involve in the initiative to have a Mental Health Website by the Health Ministry.
• Address social issues, conduct mental health literacy programmes, and open free mental health service outlets in an organized and planned manner if possible
• Have an advocacy team to facilitate the link between the society and the officialdom in matters such as undergraduate psychiatric training, decriminalization of 'attempted suicide' and 'homosexuality', better functioning of DMHP, and refining Mental Health Act.