Page 39 - Insurance Times May 2024

The SDG 3 targets facilitated by the government, including the Mental Healthcare Act and
the National Mental Health Program (NMHP). It
above programs focuses on achieving universal health coverage, including
Reducing Stigma and Promoting Awareness (SDG access to quality essential health services,
3.3): SDG 3.3 aims to "end the epidemics of AIDS,
Integrative Approaches to Mental Health (SDG 3.9):
tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases
and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases, and other The necessity of conducting research and developing
communicable diseases." Even though mental health medications and vaccines for both infectious and non-
isn't pointed out specifically, initiatives to lessen stigma communicable diseases is emphasized in SDG 3.9. In
India, the acceptance and incorporation of traditional
and raise awareness would eventually also address therapies like Ayurveda and Yoga into mental health
mental health issues as part of larger health goals.
treatment are in line with the demand for a variety of
Mental Health as a Component of Well-Being (SDG approaches to health and wellbeing.
3.4): SDG 3.4 seeks to "promote mental health and
well-being". With direct efforts to address mental well- Does Tele-MANAS facilitate SDG 3
being as part of the larger health agenda outlined in
SDG 3, SDG 3.4 makes it easier by discussing the history attainment 2030?
and the current state of mental health issues India makes up about 18% of the global population and has
particularly in India. emerged as a major contributor to the prevalence of mental
Access to Mental Health Services (SDG 3.7): Ensuring illnesses worldwide. Self-harm and violence ranked as the
that everyone has access to sexual and reproductive tenth leading cause of death in 2019, while mental disorders
healthcare services, such as family planning, information, accounted for the second-highest number of years lived with
and education, is the main goal of SDG 3.7. The idea of disability (YLDs). According to available data, suicide deaths
universal access is in line with the need for better rose by 40% between 1990 and 2016, ranking third among
accessibility to mental health services in India, particularly all causes of death in a number of Indian states. In all of these
in rural areas, even though the two are unrelated. efforts the states and the UTs will work together closely with
the apex institutions (NIMHANS, IIIT-B, NHSRC), regional co-
Youth Mental Health (SDG 3.7 and SDG 3.4): While ordinating centres, and mentoring institutions. These
SDG 3.4 focuses on equitable health care facilities for institutions will support technical issues, capacity building,
all - "promotion of mental health and well-being for all", implementation service delivery, connections, monitoring and
SDG 3.7 deals with 'sexual and reproductive health evaluation, as well as research and innovations.
services" and both are in line with particular focus on
mental health of the youth.
How does Tele MANAS particularly cater to the objectives
Government Initiatives Aligning with SDG 3 (SDG 3.8): of SDG 3 and particularly SDG 3.8? (Refer figure 1a and 1b
SDG 3.8 is aligned with the activities of the Indian below).

Figure 1a: A real time snapshot of SDG attainment dashboard of Niti Aayog

Source: https://sdgindiaindex.niti.gov.in/#/ranking

36 May 2024 The Insurance Times