Severe shortage of psychiatrists in the country:Minister

New Delhi, July 26 (UNI) There is a severe shortage of psychiatrists, psychotherapists and psychoanalysts in the country even as five per cent of the population suffers from various psychological disorders such as depression, neurotics, stress and related disorders.

''There are over 3000 qualified psychiatrists, 500 clinical psychologists, 300 psychiatric social workers and about 600 trained psychiatric nurses in the country,'' Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare M Jagannath informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply today.

About one per cent population suffers from serious mental disorders and 0.5 per cent needs active treatment for serious mental disorder, the Minister said.

However, the government had taken up National Mental Health Programme and has also implemented District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) in 94 districts of the country to help those living with psychiatric problems.

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