Community Based Mental Health Services in the Secondary Schools of Charaideo District, Assam, India

Mental health is an important and essential component of Health. In India about 197.3 million people have mental disorders and majority of the population have either no or limited access to mental health services. The issue is also quite common among the students. Thus, the country has a huge burden of mental disorders, and there is a significant treatment gap. The tea communities which shares the one third population of Assam consisting of marginalized populations, face unique socio-economic and cultural challenges, contributing to significant mental health issues among their children. Adarsha Vidyalayas were designed by the Government of Assam to provide quality education and holistic support, were examined as potential platforms for integrating mental health services. The present study explored the community-based mental health services and its implementations in the Adarsha Vidyalayas of tea gardens areas. The study used a qualitative research method to examine the services provided by the mental health professionals and its implementations among the students of the Adarsha Vidyalayas in the tea garden areas of Charaideo District, Assam, India. The result of the study revealed that although the DMHP is runned in the Charaideo District but they doesn’t Cover the Adarsha Vidyalayas till now. The study also revealed the awareness of the Headmasters and teachers on the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) integration in schools which was quite satisfactory. The current study recommends some effective measures such as-collaborative effort from the educators, parents, healthcare professionals, and community stakeholders to implement the DMHP in the Adarsha Vidyalayas of Tea garden areas of Charaideo District, Assam, India.