Rajneesh Bhandari

Founder Neuroequilibrium

Mental ill-health can have devastating effects on individuals, families, and society, and the Covid 19 pandemic has triggered an exponential rise in mental health issues, with a large number of people reporting anxiety and depression. Therefore, the Finance minister’s announcement of rolling out a national tele-mental health program is a welcome step. As per the budget announcement, the telehealth program will be operated by a network of 23 mental health centers of excellence under NIMHANS and tech support by IIIT, Bangalore.

Niti Aayog had issued the telehealth guidelines in March 2020, which are amongst the most progressive in the world, and today’s announcement will further strengthen the telehealth ecosystem in India. Economics and mental health are intertwined, and a reduction in mental health issues will lead to a more productive and happier population.