THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: About 10 per cent Keralites suffer from different kinds of depression-related issues, say studies. Taking this into consideration the state government has come up with various major initiatives like Aswasam scheme to ensure the mental health of citizens.
Health Minister K K Shylaja has informed the Assembly that the studies by the National Health Mission have pointed at the increasing level of depression among Malayalees. Following the WHO report in 2017, the Health department has come out with various measures.
Efforts are on to ensure care through Community Health Centres. Decision has been taken to screen everyone for depression-related issues through a PHQ9 questionnaire. Based on the response, those find vulnerable to depression will be categorised into mild, moderate and severe categories. Each of them would be given treatment.
“The government aims to ensure total mental health and schemes like Aswasam are being brought for this purpose. Also steps are being taken to modernise the mental health hospitals in Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur and Kozhikode. Focus will be given on rehabilitation of those cured of psychological diseases,” the minister said.
The minister added that efforts are on to make Kozhikode Mental Health central a modern health centre. The master plan has been prepared and the procedures are currently in the final stage, she said.
In an effort to provide counselling support to the needy the government has come out with Disa helpline. “The toll free number 1056 has been made available for anyone to call seeking assistance,” she added.
Earlier, moving the calling attention motion, UDF’s K S Sabarinadhan pointed at the need for the state to seriously look into the issue of more and more Keralites falling into depression. “As per the statistics more than 9 pc of Keralites suffer from some kind of depression-related issues,” he said.