The national mental health programme also lacks adequate
guidance and leadership. No mental health policy existed
before the programme, and the 1987 Mental Health Act
(which established the central and state mental health
authorities) has been largely non-functional. Experts have
identifi ed apathy, an absence of leadership, and issues of
political power (at state and government level) as relevant
barriers to development of mental health policy and
legislation to support the expansion of human resources for
mental health.
Governmental funding for mental health has risen
substantially in the past decade. In the 10th national plan
(2002–07), US$22 million (100 crores) was allocated to the
national mental health programme, mainly to upgrade
psychiatric hospitals and psychiatric facilities in government
general hospitals and medical colleges; funding rose tenfold in
the 11th 5-year plan (2007–12). The current training
infrastructure produces about 320 psychiatrists, 50 clinical
psychologists, 25 psychiatric social workers, and
185 psychiatric nurses annually—too few for eff ective care in
the country. The national mental health programme and