President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, attended the golden jubilee celebrations of the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru today. The landmark event commemorates five decades of NIMHANS’ contributions to mental health and neurosciences.
During her address, President Murmu lauded NIMHANS for its groundbreaking work in research, education, and patient care. She highlighted the institution’s leadership in the field, emphasizing its combination of innovative research, rigorous academic programs, and exceptional patient care. “NIMHANS has become an undisputed leader in the realm of mental health and neurosciences,” she said.
The President also praised NIMHANS’ pioneering community-based mental healthcare model in Bellary, which she described as historic. She further underscored the success of the Tele MANAS platform, a technology-driven initiative designed to provide mental health support across India. Since its inception, the platform has reached nearly 1.7 million people through 53 Tele MANAS cells nationwide, offering consultations in the preferred languages of users.
In her speech, President Murmu reflected on the increasing global awareness of mental health issues, noting that these concerns had once been underrepresented in many societies. “The stigma surrounding mental illness is a thing of the past, and awareness has risen significantly,” she said. She attributed this shift to better recognition of mental health challenges, many of which have reached epidemic proportions globally.
The President expressed her satisfaction with the increasing openness among individuals to discuss their mental health concerns, which has been facilitated by platforms like Tele MANAS and SAMVAAD, the latter being a platform dedicated to addressing the mental health needs of children and adolescents.
Addressing the role of traditional wisdom, President Murmu pointed to the importance of spiritual frameworks in understanding life’s challenges. She referenced ancient Indian scriptures, which describe the mind as central to human perception and experience. The President commended NIMHANS for integrating traditional practices like Yoga with modern healthcare systems, helping to alleviate both mental and physical distress.
Concluding her address, President Murmu emphasized the crucial role of mental health in building a healthy society. She expressed confidence that mental healthcare professionals, guided by compassion, knowledge, and wisdom, would continue to provide exceptional care to those in need, reinforcing the importance of holistic and empathetic approaches to mental well-being.
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