Imlisanen Jamir
Two disturbing trend lines are currently crossing in the area of mental health care in Nagaland State. One line, tracking demand for such care, is rapidly rising. The other, measuring the number of mental health care providers in practice, is barely holding steady.
In a recent report published by The Morung Express, several mental health practitioners in the state pointed to an increase in the number of people suffering from mental health issues. On the other hand, it was revealed that there is only one government psychiatrist for every 2.4 lakh people in the state.
Imagine if these numbers were true for patients of any other illness.
Mental-health conditions are rooted deep within us and are often the consequence of complex interactions between our genetics, environment and life experiences. They are conceptualized uniquely by different cultures, and they require specialists—primary care providers, psychiatrists, advanced-practice nurses, physician assistants, psychologists, clinical social workers and counsellors. All are currently in high demand and play important roles.
The report is an eye opener to how big of an issue mental health has become in the state. Six to seven cases requiring mental health practitioners are reported on peak days of the week in the State Mental Health Institute in Kohima. At the Naga Hospital Authority Kohima, an average of 10 patients seek consultation on a daily basis. The District Hospital, Dimapur receives an average of 10 to 15 patients with mental health conditions on a daily basis.
These numbers are startling, especially considering that Naga society as a whole is yet to recognise mental illnesses as a condition that requires legitimate treatment. Outside of seminars and workshops, people in the mainstream rarely hear about the dire situation faced by people with these conditions in the state. And the numbers reported here could be much higher, as historically, the demand [for treatment] has not been as strong due to higher levels of stigma and lower rates of treatment being sought.
A widespread lack of access to appropriate health-care services can be a primary contributor to the state potentially facing a mental health crisis. To avoid this, all stakeholders should work towards strengthening the mental healthcare workforce while looking to innovative models of care to improve access to the providers that already exist.
There is no question that the barriers to strengthening the mental health workforce capacity and improving service delivery will not be easily overcome, but with challenge comes opportunity.
Comments can be sent to imlisanenjamir@gmail.com
