Indian J Med Res 160, August 2024, pp 176-178

DOI: 10.25259/ijmr_1466_23

Perspective

Promoting quality mental healthcare across India: The potential of the

In the fast-paced world that we live in, priority intervention due to its progressive mental health
for mental health has become challenging but is reforms, including the development of a comprehensive
imperative. Mental well-being plays a crucial role in mental health policy in 20125. The government's efforts
shaping individuals, communities, and societies as a in Gujarat offer a promising foundation for further
whole. By giving priority to mental health, we foster improvements in mental healthcare across the State.
resilience, productivity, and overall happiness, leading
The primary findings of a recent article by
to a healthier and more prosperous society. Ignoring
Chatterjee et al6 and previous studies suggest that
mental health concerns can have severe consequences,
human resources are a significant cost driver for the
impacting not only the individuals but also their
QualityRights programme6,7. This highlights the
families, workplaces, and communities at large1. This
importance of appropriate planning during the scale-up
piece discusses this critical issue of mental health and
phase to ensure all staff members receive the necessary
presents some points for consideration for improving
training without compromising treatment quality.
mental healthcare across India.
Additionally, cost projections indicate that scaling up
One promising intervention that holds the potential the QualityRights intervention across the entire State
to transform mental healthcare is the QualityRights would require a relatively small increase in financial
programme2. Mental health investment remains investment. The potential benefits of this investment
insufficient on a global scale, including in India3. The are, however, substantial, as it can significantly
QualityRights programme, launched by the World enhance the quality of mental healthcare services
Health Organization (WHO) which is based on the while respecting and promoting the human rights of
United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons individuals with mental health conditions.
with Disabilities (CRPD), focuses on improving the
Recognizing the various challenges, such as poor
quality of care in mental health services by promoting
awareness about mental illness symptoms, stigma,
human rights, and creating recovery-oriented and
and a lack of knowledge about treatment availability,
community-based services. It underscores the
India's National Mental Health Programme (NMHP)
importance of upholding the rights as well as the dignity
was launched in 19828. The NMHP aimed to ensure
of individuals with mental health conditions, enabling
the accessibility and availability of minimum mental
them to actively engage in decisions pertaining to their
healthcare for all in addition to promoting community
treatment and care. This programme centers on various
participation which also stimulating self-help
crucial domains, encompassing advocacy, policy
initiatives. The QualityRights programme differs from
formulation, enhancing the skills of mental health
the NMHP and the Mental Healthcare Act (MHC)
practitioners, and fostering community involvement.
2017 in several key ways. Firstly, while the NMHP
The objective is to transition mental health treatment
and MHC 2017 also address mental health issues, the
from a purely medical perspective to a comprehensive
QualityRights programme specifically emphasizes
and rights-oriented approach, guaranteeing that
the promoting and protecting human rights in mental
individuals with mental health disorders have the
health care. Secondly, it focuses on promoting social
necessary assistance and care while upholding their
inclusion while reducing stigma and discrimination,
autonomy and dignity4.
and empowering individuals with mental health
Gujarat, a State in western India, was chosen as conditions to live full and meaningful lives. Thirdly, the
the initial implementation site for the QualityRights QualityRights programme emphasizes the importance

© 2024 Indian Journal of Medical Research, published by Scientific Scholar for Director-General, Indian Council of Medical Research
This open access publication is protected under CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0
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 GHOSH et al: PROMOTING QUALITY MENTAL HEALTHCARE ACROSS INDIA 177

of community engagement and participation in mental Scaling up the QualityRights programme also requires
health care. It encourages collaboration between a comprehensive review of existing mental health
mental health professionals, end users, families, and policies and their implementation. Policymakers must
communities to develop and implement culturally identify gaps and challenges in the current mental
appropriate and contextually relevant interventions. health infrastructure and address them proactively.
Lastly, the QualityRights programme includes Effective coordination among different sectors such
capacity-building initiatives aimed at enhancing the as health, education, and social welfare is crucial for
skills and knowledge of mental health professionals creating a robust mental health support system that
to provide rights-based and person-centered care. It leaves no one behind.
provides training and support to ensure that mental
Additionally, community engagement and
health services are delivered in a manner that respects
participation are key pillars of the QualityRights
and upholds the rights of individuals with mental health
programme. By involving local communities, families,
conditions. Morever, mental health can get worse by
and individuals with lived experiences in the decision-
prevailing stigma and this has especially increased
making process, it can be ensured that mental health
during COVID-19 pandemic9. Despite the current
services are culturally appropriate, relevant, and
efforts, there is still much work to be done in creating
effective. This inclusive approach will empower
an inclusive and effective mental healthcare system. By
individuals with mental health conditions and their
prioritizing interventions like QualityRights, one can
families to actively participate in their care and
take practical steps to improve mental health services
support. Furthermore, the QualityRights programme's
across India. The successful implementation of the
success relies on the availability of trained mental
QualityRights programme in Gujarat should serve as
health professionals who can deliver high-quality
an inspiration for other States and regions to adopt
services. Policymakers need to prioritizethe training
similar initiatives.
and capacity-building of mental health professionals
Expanding the QualityRights programme to a to meet the increased demand for services as the
national level holds immense potential to revolutionize programme scales up. This will require investments in
mental healthcare in India. Policymakers and education, training institutes, and ongoing professional
stakeholders need to recognize that mental health development to ensure a skilled and compassionate
is not a luxury but a fundamental human right. By mental health workforce. In addition to enhancing
directing resources towards mental health initiatives, mental health services, promoting mental health
one can establish a more equitable and just society literacy in the general population is vital10. By fostering
where individuals with mental health conditions are a culture of understanding and empathy, stereotypes can
not overlooked but empowered to lead fulfilling lives. be challenged and stigma associated with mental health
The QualityRights programme has demonstrated its conditions reduced. Public awareness campaigns and
efficacy in Gujarat, showcasing the positive impact of school-based interventions can play a significant role
a human rights-based approach to mental health care. in promoting mental health literacy from an early age11.
By scaling it up nationally, we can create a uniform
Another crucial aspect of the QualityRights
standard of care that ensures the rights and dignity
programme is the integration of mental health services
of all individuals, regardless of their geographical
with primary healthcare12. By embedding mental
location or economic status. This programme can serve
health care within the broader healthcare system, it
as a beacon of hope for the countless individuals who
can be ensured that individuals receive holistic care
have long suffered in silence due to societal stigma and
that addresses both their physical and mental well-
a lack of accessible services.
being. This integration can improve early detection,
Moreover, promoting mental health is essential timely intervention, and better management of mental
for fostering economic growth and development. health conditions.As we expand the QualityRights
A mentally healthy workforce is more productive, programme nationally, it is essential to establish a
innovative, and resilient, leading to a positive impact robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. Regular
on the nation's overall productivity. Investment in assessments will help identify areas of improvement
mental health programs would be an investment in and track the programme's impact on individual
enhancing the potential of citizens, unlocking their full lives and communities. By gathering evidence on the
capabilities, and contributing to the nation's prosperity. programme's effectiveness, policymakers can make
178 INDIAN J MED RES, AUGUST 2024

informed decisions and allocate resources effectively. declaration of interests. Erratum in: Lancet Psychiatry 2017; 4
Therefore, scaling up the QualityRights programme : e25.
across the whole country would be an imperative 3. Chisholm D, Sweeny K, Sheehan P, Rasmussen B, Smit F,
step towards advancing mental health care in India. Cuijpers P, et al. Scaling-up treatment of depression and
By investing in mental health and upholding the anxiety: A global return on investment analysis. Lancet
rights of individuals with mental health conditions, Psychiatry 2016; 3 : 415-24.
a more compassionate, inclusive, and progressive 4. World Health Organization. Global launch of the WHO
society can be fostered. Policymakers, stakeholders, QualityRights e-training on mental health. Available from:
and communities must unite in their commitment to https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2022/04/12/
default-calendar/global-launch-of-the-who-qualityrights-e-
prioritize mental health and collectively work towards
training-on-mental-health, accessed on September 8, 2024.
a brighter and more equitable future for all citizens.
5. Pathare S, Funk M, Bold ND, Chauhan A, Kalha J,
Financial support & sponsorship: None. Krishnamoorthy S, et al. Systematic evaluation of the
QualityRights programme in public mental health facilities in
Conflicts of Interest: None. Gujarat, India. Br J Psychiatry 2021; 218 : 196-203.
6. Chatterjee S, Pathare S, Funk M, Bold ND, Das P, Chauhan A,
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Assisted Technology et al. Cost of implementing the QualityRights programme in
for manuscript preparation: The authors confirm that there public hospitals in Gujarat providing mental healthcare. Indian
was no use of AI-assisted technology for assisting in the writing of J Med Res 2023; 157 : 524-32.
the manuscript and no images were manipulated using AI. 7. Funk M, Bold ND. WHO’s QualityRights initiative:
Transforming services and promoting rights in mental health.
Shampa Ghosh1,#, Rakesh Bhaskar4,#, Soumya Health Hum Rights 2020; 22 : 69-75.
Ghosh2 & Jitendra Kumar Sinha1,2,3,* 8. Press Information Bureau. Ministry of Health and Family
Divisions of 1Discovery and Basic Neurosciences, Welfare. Government of India. National Mental Health
2
Neurotechnology, & 3Cognition and Translational Programme (NMHP). Available from: https://pib.gov.in/
Sciences, GloNeuro, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India, Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1580416, accessed on
September 8, 2024.
& 4School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam
University, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea 9. Ghosh S, Sharma G, Sinha JK. The pandemic of COVID-19
needs awareness and preparedness instead of stigma and panic.
*
For correspondence:
Indiarxiv 2020; gy2t7.
jitendrakumarsinha@gmail.com
10. Sinha JK, Ghosh S, Raghunath M. The neuroscience global
Received: July 26, 2023; Accepted: July 29, 2024; village: young investigator program for students from countries
Ahead of print: October 15, 2024; Published: October 22, 2024 with limited resources on the occasion of the 8th IBRO World
Congress. Bioessays 2012; 34 : 7-9.
#
Equal Contribution
11. Wei Y, Hayden JA, Kutcher S, Zygmunt A, McGrath P. The
effectiveness of school mental health literacy programs to
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