Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla stated that the vision of a developed India by 2047, envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, can only be realized by ensuring the good health of every citizen. He emphasized that alongside tackling various physical illnesses, overcoming mental health issues is equally essential, where psychiatrists will play a vital role.
Shukla was addressing the inaugural session of the first National Psychiatry Conference of Central India, being held in Bhopal. The two-day conference has attracted 45 eminent speakers from across the country.
Highlighting the importance of mental well-being, Shukla said that the first happiness in life is good health. In today’s globalized era, mental stress is increasingly common among youth, primarily due to overwhelming anxiety, intense competition, fear of failure, and excessive use of mobile phones and other digital devices. In such a scenario, the role of psychiatrists becomes even more crucial.
He also expressed concern over the alarming global statistic of nearly 1 million suicides annually. Shukla remarked that the solutions to such problems are deeply rooted in India’s ancient traditions, with several institutions continuously promoting the practices of yoga and meditation. He added that there is still significant potential for expansion in these areas.
Deputy Chief Minister Shukla shared that the state government has initiated specialized mental health services in dedicated rooms at each district hospital for the treatment and counseling of mentally ill patients. He stressed that, along with medical treatment, maintaining continuous communication with mental health patients is crucial.
He noted that issues like phobias, mental disorders among youth, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorders are increasingly being diagnosed, urging psychiatrists to approach their work with a spirit of dedication.
Dr. Saloni Sidana, Director of the National Health Mission, Madhya Pradesh, informed that special emphasis is being placed on mental health treatment within the National Health Mission framework. She mentioned that understanding a patient's environment is critical for effectively diagnosing mental health problems. Dr. Sidana also highlighted that the state offers free consultations 24x7 via the Tele-MANAS helpline, which has successfully handled over 300,000 calls to d ate.
Other speakers included Dr. Kavita Singh, Dean of Gandhi Medical College Bhopal; Dr. R.N. Sahu and Dr. Mrigesh Vaishnav from the Indian Association of Private Psychiatry (IAPP). The program was conducted by Dr. Samiksha Sahu.
