Date:11/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/11/stories/2008101157200300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

‘Mental health services need to be improved’

Staff Reporter

Bangalore: Despite the State’s many institutions that address mental health, as many as 10 of the 29 districts have no psychiatrists, either private practitioners or government doctors, according to R. Srinivasa Murthy, retired Professor of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-sciences (NIMHANS).

Speaking at a symposium organised on the occasion of World Mental Health Day by the Medico Pastoral Association here on Friday, Dr. Murthy said that Karnataka had no more than 200 psychiatrists, out of whom 19 work in the public sector.

“Mental health services in the State have to be urgently improved, especially to ensure the mental well-being of vulnerable sections of society,” he added.