Navigating the landscape: Bridging gaps and empowering individuals with special needs.

People with disabilities have different kinds of needs, both in learning and physical abilities.

They need special help and support in their daily lives. On December 27th, 2015, our

honorable Prime Minister spoke on an episode of “Mann Ki Baat,” saying that people with

disabilities have divine abilities and should be called “Divyang” instead of “Viklang,” which

is the traditional term for disabled people. This change helped shift the language to focus

more on the person and less on their disability. As a psychologist, I see the need for a more

thoughtful and detailed approach to mental health care beyond just traditional psychiatric

treatment in special schools. For example, a child with autism or intellectual disability who

struggles with self-injurious behavior or aggression may need medicine to help with feelings

of agitation. Along with medication, they might also need a behavior therapy program and

social skills training that involves special educators, speech therapists, occupational

therapists, and the family.

India is facing a growing mental health problem because there is a lack of good services,

proper infrastructure, and mental health professionals.

Children with special needs are more likely to have mental health issues like anxiety and

depression, and they are also at risk for academic problems and self-harm. Psychologists play a key role in helping these children by assessing their mental health, finding out reasons like learning difficulties or trouble managing emotions, and creating customized plans to reduce anxiety in both children and their parents.

Even though many different professionals work together to help people with special needs,

there are still many challenges.

There are not enough trained special educators, and many teachers don’t have the skills to

deal with various mental health and behavioral issues. Often, the diagnosis stops at autism,

ADHD, or intellectual disability, and other conditions like anxiety or PTSD go unnoticed.

Parents often face stigma and blame when dealing with their child's disability, along with

pressure from society, unfair expectations, and a difficult educational system. Stigma around

mental health makes it hard for parents to seek help for themselves or their child's mental

health. Around 10 to 15% of the Indian population might need mental health services, but

there's a huge gap in treatment, with up to 85% of people with psychological issues not

receiving the care they need.

Government initiatives like the Mental Health Act, 2017, aim to make mental health care

accessible and affordable. The National Mental Health Program, started in 1982, tries to bring mental health care into the general healthcare system. The District Mental Health Program aims to expand community-based mental health services. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, covers mental health conditions, and the MANAS program, launched in 2022, offers 24/7 counselling and a national helpline with 53 centers. Private groups and NGOs are also working to improve mental health through awareness, support, and advocacy using innovative and local methods. However, there are still many problems.

There's not enough infrastructure, especially in rural areas. Stigma is still a big issue, which

leads to uneven support. The data and guidelines for assessments are old, and there are many bureaucratic and red tape problems. There's a delay in emergency care, and family caregivers aren't getting enough support or training.

The budgets for mental health training for healthcare workers are low. A study in Mysuru showed that even with more awareness and better services, cultural differences and sensitivity are still major barriers. Looking ahead, mental health in India needs more than just social acceptance and changing beliefs. It also needs the use of technology alongside thorough changes in the systems. This includes inclusive education, more digital services, and teamwork between mental health professionals, NGOs, and government agencies. To really make progress, India needs a combination of efforts involving technology, policies, and community empowerment. The focus should be on understanding the unique needs and views of different groups, creating solutions that fit cultures, and having open discussions about mental health to reduce stigma.

By putting prevention and early help in place, and making sure mental health services are part of the bigger healthcare system, India can move closer to having good mental health for all and reach its full potential as a nation.