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APSC Answer Writing (Daily) based on Assam Tribune – 19/07/2025

For APSC CCE and other Assam Competitive examinations aspirants, practicing Daily Answer Writing is vital. This blog covers the most important Main question and its model Answer from the Assam Tribune today (19-07-2025).

❓ Question:

Despite increased awareness, mental healthcare in Assam remains deeply inadequate.
Examine the challenges associated with mental health service delivery in Assam and suggest a roadmap for strengthening mental health infrastructure in the state.
(Word Limit: 250)

✅ Model Answer:

🔸 Introduction
Mental health is a critical but often neglected pillar of public health, particularly in Northeast India. Assam, despite policy intent, suffers from a high treatment gap, low specialist availability, and widespread stigma. The state’s recent initiative to launch a mental health helpline and telepsychiatry network marks a proactive shift, but structural challenges persist.

🔹 Challenges in Mental Health Infrastructure – Assam Context

Challenge	Explanation
Shortage of Professionals	<1 psychiatrist per 1 lakh population; lack of psychologists and social workers
Urban-Rural Divide	Mental health services concentrated in cities; rural areas remain neglected
Infrastructure Gaps	Few functional District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) units; limited inpatient psychiatric wards
Cultural Stigma	Mental illness often equated with ‘madness’; leads to social exclusion
Low Budgetary Allocation	Mental health receives <1% of state health budget
Disaster Trauma	Recurrent floods, ethnic conflict, and migration compound mental stress

🔹 Way Forward: Strengthening the Ecosystem

Strategy	Actionable Steps
Telepsychiatry & Helplines	Use AI-powered triage tools and multilingual hotlines for early response
Workforce Development	Train primary care physicians and ASHAs in psychological first aid
School-Based Mental Health	Deploy counselors and integrate mental wellness in curriculum
Community Awareness Campaigns	Leverage local NGOs and cultural influencers to de-stigmatize mental illness
Budget & Policy	Separate mental health fund under NHM; integrate with Ayushman Bharat HWCs
Data & Monitoring	Create a mental health dashboard to monitor trends and resource needs

🔸 Conclusion

The mental health burden in Assam demands a rights-based, technology-enabled, and community-centric approach. Initiatives like the upcoming telepsychiatry network offer a scalable model. However, lasting impact will depend on robust funding, grassroots engagement, and sustained political commitment.

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