The Union administration told Parliament on Tuesday that it does not keep any central records of medical interns who have committed suicide in Indian government-run facilities. There is no centralized record of such incidents, according to Prataprao Jadhav, the Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, in a written response to a query.
The minister also emphasized the National Medical Commission’s (NMC) initiatives to address medical students’ mental health issues. He pointed out that in order to promote the wellbeing of students, the NMC has put in place a number of preventive measures. A 15-member National Task Force (NTF) was formed by the NMC’s anti-ragging committee in February 2024 with the express goal of addressing medical students’ mental health. Establishing a centralized suicide reporting system and a strong system for tracking such occurrences were two of the NTF’s main suggestions. The task group also underlined the significance of creating a safe and encouraging atmosphere for students and tackling structural difficulties that could lead to mental health issues in the medical industry.
The minister further noted that students who are experiencing mental health issues, including those who have been raped, can use the Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) and the NMC website to lodge complaints. Students can use these channels to voice their complaints and look for support.
The National Mental Health Programmed (NMHP), which attempts to offer mental health support nationwide, is another initiative the government is putting into place in an attempt to address mental health concerns more generally. Nationally significant schools like AIIMS and federal government medical colleges have been directed to advertise Tele MANAS, a free and private mental health helpline that is open to students around-the-clock, as part of these efforts. The purpose of this helpline is to offer students who are experiencing mental health issues prompt assistance.
Jadhav responded by stressing that there are resources available to pupils who are experiencing emotional difficulties or suicidal thoughts. He gave the phone numbers for a number of helplines, such as i Call, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences’ helpline (02225521111), Tele MANAS (14416), and the Sneha Foundation (04424640050). These services guarantee that those dealing with mental health issues can always get help by providing support and direction to those in need.
The government’s acknowledgment of these issues, along with its preventive measures, underscores the importance of supporting the mental health of medical students and interns, who often face immense academic and emotional pressure.
SOURCE :
INDIAN EXPRESS
