Srinagar, Oct 29: A research carried by an international non-governmental organization has revealed that people facing psychological problems in Kashmir were not getting proper treatment due to non-implementation of Mental Health Act of 1987.
 “Research study on status of implementation of provisions on National Mental Health act in J&K” conducted by Action Aid has suggested enactment of local Mental Health legislations which reflect international standards and provide framework for integration of mental health care with general health care.
 The Mental Health Act of 1987 had made it obligatory for the state to create a mechanism for licensing and monitoring mental health care facilities. “State had created such authority but it remains non functional because there are no recognized mental health care facilities in private state sector. Whatever exists is unlicensed as no license has ever been issued by the Authority. The facilities are supposed to be monitored by Mental Health Authority,” the research states.
 The Action Aid sponsored research says though there are OPD facilities available within Psychiatric Diseases Hospital Srinagar, no such facilities are available at primary or secondary health care in the Valley. “The procedures relating to admission of patient within mental hospital are observed but the requirements of the Act relating to security of their property and providing them legal aid are not taken care of. The Act provides for penalties to those who admit a normal person into psychiatric care,” the research says.
 The Act also imposes several responsibilities upon police which include admitting a person with psychological disorders into psychiatric hospitals and penalizing the ones involved in the neglect and harsh treatments of such patients.
 “One of the prime reasons of non adherence of Mental Health care standards is unfamiliarity of those who are in this job. For this purpose study suggests creation of mental health manual so that everyone involved in mental health care is familiar with his assignments and responsibilities,” the research reveals.
 Other aspects of the finding reveal that sense of insecurity, exposure to sufferings, abuses, instigation to and participation in violence, humiliations, torture, death of those in proximity, rape, feeling for revenge, tragedies, break down of family structures and traditional mechanisms of care remain some of the causes which are indispensible consequences of conflict situations.
 “Conflict situation in Kashmir has led to increase in psychological problems because of all these reasons. Traditional mechanisms of care crumbled in various ways. Health care system faces paucity of man power and whatever care exists in the form of Psychiatric Diseases hospital Srinagar is inaccessible on account of hazards involved in travel and stay in Srinagar,” it adds.
 The research has revealed that psychologically disordered persons became vulnerable targets in encounters.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 29 Oct 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 29 Oct 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 30 Oct 2011 00:00:00 IST