Mental health services have been incorporated into the comprehensive primary healthcare package offered at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, Union Health Minister J P Nadda announced in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

As part of the government’s initiative to provide holistic healthcare, over 1.73 lakh sub-health centres (SHCs) and primary health centres (PHCs) across the country have been upgraded to Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. These centres aim to integrate mental health services into primary healthcare delivery.

Additionally, the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP), under the National Mental Health Programme, is operational in 767 districts, providing screening, management, and treatment of mental illnesses at district hospitals.

Nadda emphasized that this step underscores the government’s commitment to improving access to mental health services at the grassroots level, ensuring a healthier and more inclusive healthcare system.