OPD facilities to be started for stress management in government hospitals: Officials

In a first-of-its-kind initiative to tackle mental health, the government will start special OPD facilities for stress management in government hospitals from next month, an official stated. This is being done to ensure that citizens are given easily accessible and organized assistance in dealing with increasing levels of stress, he added.

The scheme will start on an experimental basis in five hospitals, including Tibbia College, and then be rolled out to more locations. The OPDs will serve as support centres for providing patients with timely medical assistance, advice, and lifestyle tips, the officials said.

A unique element of the services will be the employment of AYUSH practices, with tension being tackled through Unani, Homeopathy and meditation. Officials made it clear that while the Unani system will focus on equilibrating the body and mind, homeopathy will take care of things such as sleep and anxiety. Meditation and breathing techniques, they said, would be employed to ensure calmness and mental tranquility.

Health Minister Pankaj Singh stated that the government is keen to make stress management a reality for all. "We are launching this drive from Tibbia College. These would not be costly packages but just plain OPD services. Delhi will be a model in stress-free living through the AYUSH system," he stated. The minister emphasized that the OPDs would not be limited to prescribing medicines. Specialists will advice individuals on lifestyle modification, such as diet, sleep and physical exercise, for long-term health. "There will be an effort to keep individuals healthy and stress-free for a prolonged period," he further said.