Budget 2024 expectations: Funds must be allocated for improving mental health services such as counselling and to ensure economically viable mental health resources are easily accessible to everyone.
The anticipation mounts as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman prepares to unveil the preliminary budget for the fiscal year 2024-25 on February 1st. Reflecting on the healthcare budget for the preceding fiscal year of 2023-24, attention was directed towards five pivotal domains: academic institutions for medical and nursing, the mission to eradicate sickle-cell anemia, advancements in medical research and pharmaceutical innovation, as well as the integration of multidisciplinary curriculums. Forecasts for the healthcare budget for 2024-25 speculate a shift towards accentuating medical research, emphasizing preventative healthcare measures, prioritizing mental well-being, and fortifying healthcare infrastructure.
The imperative lies in augmenting the realm of medical research within the nation to foster the fruition of pioneering therapeutic modalities and diagnostic methodologies. Prioritizing preventative healthcare is paramount as it alleviates the strain on the healthcare sector. Strengthening vaccination initiatives is essential to preemptively combat diseases. Notably, the domain of healthcare infrastructure remains relatively overlooked and warrants substantial attention.
Mental Health Services Although there has been a perceptible surge in awareness surrounding mental health in recent years, there exists a conspicuous dearth of substantive initiatives. Consequently, it is imperative to earmark funds for enhancing mental health services, encompassing avenues such as counseling, as advocated by experts.
Dr. Sujit Chatterjee, CEO of Dr. LH Hiranandani Hospital in Powai, Mumbai, articulated, “Public health endeavors necessitate financial backing for the execution of disease prevention strategies and vaccination drives. Augmenting medical research mandates financial support to facilitate the development of novel therapies and cutting-edge technologies. Healthcare infrastructure necessitates investments in augmenting the capacity of hospitals and clinics. Provision of mental health services entails allocation of resources towards counseling services and psychiatric intervention. Furthermore, initiatives aimed at fostering health equity necessitate robust support to ameliorate disparities in healthcare accessibility across our nation.”
Various governmental bodies have taken strides towards ameliorating the mental well-being of the populace through initiatives such as helplines and counseling services.
Hence, the forthcoming budgetary allocation should underscore the necessity for economically viable mental health resources that are readily accessible to all, with a particular emphasis on students, asserted Shreya Malik, Lead Clinical Psychologist at Lissun, a technology-driven mental health startup.
Shreya Malik further emphasized, “The healthcare budget for 2024-25 ought to encompass psychological services encompassing counseling and therapy across both inpatient and outpatient settings. Inclusion of these services within outpatient settings affords clients the reassurance of availing services devoid of financial impediments.”
Increase number of mental health experts and improve quality of mental health services
The scarcity of mental health professionals capable of providing effective support to those in need is a pressing concern. Thus, it is imperative to allocate funds towards addressing this issue and augmenting the number of trained mental health specialists.
Dr. Gorav Gupta, a Psychiatrist and Co-founder of Emoneeds, an online psychiatric counseling service based in Gurugram, underscored, “With only 0.3 psychiatrists, 0.07 psychologists, and 0.07 social workers per 100,000 individuals, remedying this shortfall necessitates targeted funding for training programs and scholarships. Furthermore, considering the prevalence of mental disorders affecting one in seven Indians, alongside persistent social stigmas impeding help-seeking behaviors, there is an urgent need to allocate resources for comprehensive awareness initiatives and establish a dedicated fund for addressing severe mental illnesses.”
The alarming escalation in suicide rates among students and young professionals underscores the imperative of integrating emotional wellness programs into the educational and corporate curricula. This ensures that students and employees receive adequate support and are equipped with the requisite skills to articulate their emotions effectively.
Malik stressed, “It should be mandatory for schools to have clinical counselors. Recent government initiatives focusing on shaping the curriculum and services for students preparing for exams like IIT/JEE/NEET in Kota and other cities underscore the crucial need to include mental health in budgetary allocations. This becomes increasingly vital as we witness a surge in conditions such as autism, anxiety, and depression.”
Dr. Gupta further emphasized the importance of extending financial support to health-tech startups specializing in mental health, enabling innovation and expanding accessibility to mental health services. “Prioritizing resources for mental health services, combating stigma through comprehensive awareness campaigns, and addressing alarming suicide rates among students and the workforce are paramount. Allocating funds for training programs to bridge the gap in mental health professionals, ensuring coverage for psychotherapy under insurance schemes, and allocating resources for severe mental health issues would significantly bolster access to comprehensive mental health support.”