Goa Health Minister Proposes Renaming Mental Health Institute to Combat Stigma
In a significant move to address the persistent stigma surrounding mental health, Goa's Health Minister Vishwajit Rane announced on Wednesday that he has initiated a proposal to change the name of the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour (IPHB). The announcement was made during a state-level mental health and well-being event held at the Goa Medical College (GMC).
Addressing Stigma to Encourage Youth
Minister Rane emphasized the critical need for this change to protect young individuals seeking treatment and counseling. "We must do this so that young people who visit the institute for treatment and counselling are not stigmatised," he stated. He highlighted that depression can be as consuming, if not more so, than many severe physical illnesses, underscoring the urgency of strengthening community mental health initiatives and aggressively tackling the stigma associated with seeking help.
Goa's Leadership in Mental Health Coverage
Professor Vikram Patel, co-founder of the healthcare voluntary organization Sangath, praised Goa's potential in mental health care. He noted that Goa could become the first state in India to achieve universal health coverage through its public health system, thanks to its robust infrastructure, dedicated personnel, and strong leadership.
Expansion of Successful Programs
Through the integrated IMPRESS Programme, which aims to improve access to care for depression, Goa has made substantial progress. More than 15,000 counseling sessions have been provided to over 700 patients, demonstrating the program's effectiveness. This model, initially developed and proven successful in Goa, has now been adapted and implemented in other Indian states and countries such as Nepal, Uganda, the USA, and Canada.
Training and Screening Achievements
Since September 2022, health services in collaboration with Sangath have trained 97 primary care staff to offer depression counseling across 30 primary and secondary health care centers. Dr. Sandesh Madkaikar, Chief Medical Officer at health services, reported that out of 1.4 lakh individuals screened, 22,000 tested positive for depression and received necessary assistance, showcasing the program's reach and impact.
This initiative reflects a broader commitment to destigmatizing mental health and enhancing accessibility to essential services in Goa and beyond.
