The Andaman and Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences (ANIIMS), in collaboration with the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, organized a consensus workshop under the Second National Mental Health Survey (NMHS-2) to discuss strategies for strengthening the mental health system in the Union Territory. The event was supported by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
The workshop convened key administrators, researchers, and representatives from departments including Health, Social Welfare, Education, and Tribal Welfare, alongside mental health practitioners and NGO representatives working in the sector. The forum provided a platform to review data from NMHS-2 and explore measures to improve mental health services across the islands.
Secretary (Health) of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration, Vandana Rao IAS, presided over the event as the chief guest. She acknowledged the extensive efforts of the research team and field investigators in conducting the survey across the geographically challenging islands. Rao underscored the importance of mental health as an integral component of overall health and emphasized the role of evidence-based data in shaping health policies and programs. She also assured the Administration’s commitment to expanding mental health infrastructure, services, and human resources in the islands.
Dr. Girish N Rao, Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Principal Investigator of NMHS-2 from NIMHANS, presented the perspective of the nodal agency. He highlighted the national significance of NMHS-2 in guiding policy and service delivery for mental health across India and stressed the importance of translating survey findings into actionable strategies at the regional level.
The workshop also featured contributions from representatives of the State Legal Services Authority, ANIIMS, Directorate of Health Services, Departments of Social Welfare, Education, and Tribal Welfare, the Anti-Narcotics Control Bureau, and the Andaman and Nicobar Police. Additionally, officials from the Composite Regional Centre Brookshabad, the District Child Protection Office, and mental health professionals shared their insights and recommendations for system improvements.
NGOs including Guru Ki Rasoi, Ration Rasheed Foundation, and WITH YOU actively participated, providing on-ground perspectives and policy suggestions to enhance accessibility and quality of mental health services for vulnerable populations.
Participants discussed a range of issues, from improving community-based mental health care and integrating services within existing health programs to addressing challenges posed by the islands’ dispersed population. The workshop concluded with actionable recommendations aimed at strengthening service delivery, capacity building, and fostering collaboration among government agencies, healthcare providers, and civil society.
The consensus workshop marks a significant step in the Union Territory’s efforts to address mental health challenges comprehensively, ensuring that policy formulation and service expansion are informed by empirical data and coordinated planning.
