Govt to set up Mentoring Institute, District Level cells to reach out to vulnerable groups, hard to reach areas

Srinagar, Oct 20: The Jammu and Kashmir government is set to establish a Mentoring Institute and District Mental Health Programme cells, as an extended effort towards scaling of mental health services across the union territory.
The priority objectives are to extend services to vulnerable groups and hard to reach populations through the implementation of a full-fledged mental health network, reads an order issued by the Health and Medical Education department and reviewed by Rising Kashmir.
The initiative is an extension to the effective roll out of the union government’s Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele MANAS), which is aimed at providing affordable and accessible mental health facilities to all.
The order further reads that the initiative would further help in supplementing the service delivery framework of the existing National Mental Health Programme(NMHP) through Tele Mental Health Assistance.
For the seamless roll out of the scheme the J&K government has accorded to nomination of Mission Director, National Health Mission, J&K as Nodal Officer for its implementation.
As per the order, the Nodal Officer shall ensure setting up of a mentoring institute and the Mental Health Programme (DMHP) cells at district levels for tier II level counselling.
Director Health Services Kashmir, Dr Mushtaq Ahmad said the government is striving to deliver affordable and accessible healthcare to reach out to the last person.