The National Mental Health Programme was launched in the year ______ with a goal to ensure availability of Mental Health Care Services for all.

Appeared in: RRB Nsg. Superintendent - 29 April 2025 (Shift-3rd)

Explanation

The Government of India launched the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) in 1982.
The primary goal of the program was to ensure the availability and accessibility of minimum mental healthcare for all citizens, particularly the most vulnerable sections of the population.
A key strategy was the integration of mental health into the primary healthcare system, utilizing existing infrastructure and personnel.
The program also aimed to apply mental health principles in national development to improve the overall quality of life.

Option A: This year is incorrect. No major national mental health program was initiated in India in 1972.
Option B: This is incorrect. The NMHP was already established by 1992. A subsequent program, the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP), was launched in 1996 to implement the NMHP at the district level.
Option C: This year is incorrect. This predates the modern community-based mental health movement in India that led to the formation of the NMHP.

Visual 1: Timeline: Key milestones in India's mental health legislation and programs, showing the 1982 NMHP, the 1996 District Mental Health Programme (DMHP), and the 2017 Mental Healthcare Act.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Launch and objectives of the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Understanding the NMHP is crucial for community health nurses as it provides the framework for integrating mental health services into primary care, a core nursing responsibility.
Nurses are central to achieving NMHP's objectives through early case detection, providing basic care, making appropriate referrals, and educating the community to reduce stigma.
What if? If a nurse is working in a district where the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) is not fully implemented, their role would shift towards stronger advocacy for resources, focusing on mental health first aid, and building robust referral networks with the nearest psychiatric facility.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question about a major national health program in India.
Identify the key term in the question: 'National Mental Health Programme'.
Access your knowledge base regarding the timeline of significant public health initiatives in India.
Recall or deduce the specific launch year associated with this program.
Compare your recalled year with the given options (1972, 1992, 1962, 1982) to select the correct one.
Eliminate the other years as they are not associated with the NMHP's launch.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Launch and objectives of the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP)
Stem keywords: National Mental Health Programme, launched, year, Mental Health Care Services
Lead-in keywords: BEST, MOST RELEVANT CLUE
Negative lead-in flag: false

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Practise the full RRB Nsg. Superintendent - 29 April 2025 (Shift-3rd)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.