While the Parliament has passed several laws related to mental health, the primary responsibility of implementation falls on the state governments. The Global Burden of Disease Study estimated that about twenty crore Indians suffer from mental disorders, i.e., one in every seven persons. Despite good laws, we lack access to affordable, acceptable, and quality mental health care. The rights-based approach enacted on paper has to be followed by evidence-based implementation.  

The proposals which a government executes usually originate in an election manifesto. Five states — Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand — are holding legislative assembly elections in February/March next year. Therefore, it is an opportunity for all political parties to include mental health provisions in their manifestoes and convey that our mental health matters. As a beginning, the following points are being suggested for inclusion in the manifestoes:

1. Allocation of at least ten percent of the state’s health budget to the mental health sector every year

2. Implementation of the National Mental Health Policy 2014 in letter and spirit

3. Implementation of the Mental Healthcare Act 2017, including the establishment and operationalisation of State Mental Health Authority and Mental Health Review Boards

4. Implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016, including the simplification of the disability assessment and certification process, adequate disability pension, job reservation & opportunities, and access to specialized work training

5. Recruitment of registered mental health professionals in Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres, and Civil Hospitals

6. Increase seats and provide training programs for mental health professionals in all state medical colleges

7. Ensure 100% expenditure of allocations under Government of India’s District Mental Health Programme, and

8. Address social inequalities to reduce the risk of mental health issues