Here Is Everything You Need To Know About Mental Health Insurance In India & Why You Should Avail It

The stigma attached to mental health has prevailed for a long time. However, slowly and steadily especially after the pandemic, people have realised how important mental health and disorders are when it comes to being healthy.

Why is mental health seen as taboo?

The stigma around mental health has for a very long time led to discrimination and negative attitudes towards those who suffer from mental health issues. This stigma is often fueled by misconceptions and stereotypes about mental illness, which the media and popular culture can perpetuate.

Prior to social media and the internet bringing in a plethora of information about mental illnesses and how it is okay to talk about them, many people felt ashamed or embarrassed to talk about their own mental health struggles. Even now, despite the growing awareness, people still tend to not openly talk about their mental illness or the fact that they are not feeling themselves due to mental stresses. People still are more comfortable talking about physical ailments over mental ones.

Unsplash

As per a report by National Mental Health Programme (NMHP), it was estimated that around 6-7% of the Indian population suffers from mental disorders.

There are other reasons leading to mental health still being taboo which may include cultural and religious beliefs. Some cultures may view mental illness as a sign of weakness or a personal failing, while others may believe that mental health issues are caused by supernatural forces or divine punishment.

The shift of attitude towards mental health

Fortunately, despite the taboos and stigmas surrounding mental health, there is a positive change that is bringing in more awareness. The health insurance which covered physical ailments now covers mental conditions as well. This change came into existence after the introduction of the Mental Healthcare Act of 2017. Despite it being introduced in 2017, it came into effect on May 29, 2018. The act insures and recognises the importance of mental health and made it mandatory for health insurance policies to cover mental conditions along with physical ones.

The act defines mental illness as "a substantial disorder of thinking, mood, perception, orientation or memory that grossly impairs judgment, behaviour, capacity to recognize reality or ability to meet the ordinary demands of life, mental conditions associated with the abuse of alcohol and drugs, but does not include mental retardation which is a condition of arrested or incomplete development of mind of a person, especially characterized by sub normality of intelligence".

Pexels/Representational Image|Mental Health

What are the positive impacts of this the Mental Healthcare Act of 2017 being rolled out?

Not only does this act sets a framework for the delivery of mental healthcare services in India and establishes minimum standards for the treatment and care of people with mental illness.

About the same, Priti Sridhar, CEO of Mariwala Health Initiative adds, "The MHCA 2017 mandated that 'every insurer has to make provisions for medical insurance for the treatment of mental illnesses.' It took till 2020 for the IRDAI to issue orders to make mental health coverage mandatory under insurance. This is indeed a welcome step and one that makes mental health treated at par with physical health. The major issue of stigma that prevents conversation on and treatment of mental health issues will be addressed and hopefully will reduce."

She continues, "With mental health insurance, access to mental health services can become more affordable and reduce this gap over time. Employers who provide health insurance can also offer better health coverage by including mental health for their employees. This will help tackle the rising instances of poor mental health at the workplace and boost their mental well-being and productivity."

Unsplash/Representational Image|Mental Health

The key feature of this act is that it provides free treatment and rehabilitation services for people with mental illness. The Act also mandates the establishment of mental health review boards in every state to oversee the implementation of the act and protect the rights of people with mental illness.

Another key feature of the act is that people can take directives well in advance. This helps people with severe mental illness to understand and specify their treatment preferences in advance. This helps ensure that their wishes are respected and that they get their desired treatment regardless of their not being able to make decisions for themselves.

Are people aware of this act? What needs to be done to ensure that people take it up?

A lot of youngsters still aren't aware of health insurance and what are the benefits of such acts. Certain things can be implemented to make sure that people are more aware of this act:

Teaching financial planning

First and foremost, raising awareness about mental health issues is the key to ensuring that people understand the importance of the act and the services it provides. This can be done through public campaigns, education and training programs, and community outreach efforts.

Priti Sridhar adds, "There is a need to teach financial planning including the need for insurance at an early stage. These can be taught by colleges as part of their skill building, employers can provide these as services to freshers that they recruit, and IRDAI will need to take an active role in not only ensuring awareness but also ensuring that claims processes by service providers are smooth and that complaints are managed to protect consumer interests."

Pexels/Representational Image|Mental Health

Strict implementation

This involves employers making sure that their employees are well aware of this aspect through training programs, workshops, and other educational initiatives. They can also establish Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) to provide confidential and professional support to employees who are experiencing mental health issues.

Other than this, Insurance companies should make sure that they are up to date with the policies and their knowledge. Sridhar adds, "Insurance companies also need to ensure that details of mental health policies are known throughout their branches, agents and other intermediaries and are not offered only through metros / large branches."

Unsplash

Mental health insurance or the Mental Healthcare Act of 2017 represents an important step forward in the recognition and treatment of mental illness in India.