Proposing a case for integration of screening and management of mental disorders, including substance use disorders with other non-communicable disease care: a prologue to the ICMR-MINDS project in Faridabad district of Haryana

Mental disorders, including substance use disorders (MSUDs) and other Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) together contribute substantially to morbidity, mortality, and economic burden in India. Faridabad district in Haryana is one of the most populous and health system-challenged districts. It exemplifies the urgent need for integrated approaches to address these conditions. Evidence highlights the bidirectional association between MSUDs and NCDs. The Government of India's National Program for Prevention & Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD), a flagship under the National Health Mission, offers an opportunity to integrate MSUD care into existing service delivery frameworks. Leveraging its established infrastructure, resources, and wide population reach can help improve the care delivery for MSUD. Integrating MSUD into NP-NCD aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 3.4. The Indian Council of Medical Research's MINDS project in Faridabad district aims to operationalize this integration by implementing and evaluating a scalable service delivery model across 116 health facilities. The initiative aims to integrate the screening, assessment, treatment and referral linkage for MSUD among individuals seeking NCD care. This integrated approach offers a pathway to reduce the treatment gap for MSUD, improve patient outcomes, and inform adoption of evidence-based, sustainable health strategies at a larger scale in the state of Haryana.