M’laya announces maiden draft mental health policy

SHILLONG, Oct 10: On the World Mental Health Day on Monday, Health Minister James PK Sangma announced the state draft mental health policy named “Meghalaya Mental Health and Social Care Policy”. This is the first of its kind draft in the state.
He said the policy, which is holistic in nature, will focus on the promotion of mental health.
Sangma also said that emphasis will be laid on building safe spaces and first responder teams, prevent and address stress and loneliness, ensure early identification and care etc.
The policy has been drafted by a committee, headed by Principal Secretary of Health and Family Welfare Department Sampath Kumar. A sub-committee looked into the finer details of it, the minister said.
Highlighting its salient features, he urged civil society members to give their feedback and recommendations. He said the core committee and sub-committee were formed to guide the process of drafting the policy to make it well-suited and thereby, tackle the issues that exist within the state.
“We partnered with several stakeholders. Under the State Capability Enhancement framework and through a Problem-Driven Iterative Adaptive approach, we involved all concerned departments and agencies as part of our collaborative proposition towards problem identification and solving,” Sangma said.
Kumar described the day as “significant” for the state. He said the objective of the policy is to provide universal access to mental health care by enhancing understanding of mental health and strengthening leadership in the mental health domain at all levels.
Emphasizing on the significance of Mental Health Day, he said it is an occasion for raising people’s awareness of mental illnesses and removing the false perceptions attached to it.
He said the aim is not only to provide care, but also address the socio-economic determinants affecting the mental health space and create enabling conditions to address and prevent challenges pertaining to mental health.