The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru and the Ashraya Hastha Trust (AHT) have signed a multi-stakeholder Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement a comprehensive rural mental health programme called ‘NAMAN’ in two different taluks of India to test the feasibility of rolling out such a programme across the country, said a press release issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Monday.
The national launch of the programme will be held today at the Convention Centre, NIMHANS.
According to the release, the proposed Naman programme will be completed within three years. NIMHANS will develop the roadmap for the overall implementation of the programme and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Rishikesh, will work with NIMHANS as a sub-hub for the successful implementation of the programme in Uttarakhand.
Both NIMHANS, Bengaluru and AIIMS, Rishikesh will work with the health departments of the governments of Karnataka and Uttarakhand. The Ashraya Hasta Trust has provided financial support for the smooth running of the programme, the release added.
“The vision of NAMAN is to implement a comprehensive mental health programme at the taluka level that includes mental health promotion, prevention strategies, treatment of mental disorders and rehabilitation. The two taluks selected for the implementation of the programme are Munsiyari taluk of Pithoragarh district in Uttarakhand state and Belur taluk of Hassan district in Karnataka to address the mental health needs of the entire population of the two taluks. The programme plans to take a lifespan approach, covering the entire population from womb to grave,” the statement added.
Dinesh Gundu Rao, Minister, Department of Health and Family Welfare Services, Karnataka, will grace the occasion.
