When was the National Mental Health Program launched in India?

Appeared in: MP CHO -2021 (Shift 1st)

Explanation

The National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) was launched in India in 1982.
Aimed to ensure minimum mental health care for all, especially vulnerable populations.
Focused on integrating mental health with primary health care and reducing stigma.
Marked a shift from institutional to community-based mental health services.

Option B: 1987 is the year when the Mental Health Act was enacted, not the launch of NMHP.
Option C: 1994 does not correspond to any major national mental health policy or program launch in India.
Option D: 2014 is the year when the National Mental Health Policy was introduced, not the NMHP.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Launch year of National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) in India as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must know the history of NMHP to understand the evolution of mental health care delivery in India.
NMHP's integration with primary health care means nurses at all levels may be involved in mental health screening and referral.
What if? If the question asked about the National Mental Health Policy, the answer would be 2014, not 1982.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the specific program or policy being asked about (NMHP vs. Mental Health Act vs. Policy).
Recall the chronology of major Indian health initiatives.
Eliminate options based on known milestone years (e.g., 1987 for the Act, 2014 for the Policy).
Use mnemonic or timeline strategies to remember key public health program launch years.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart C (pp 404-604 of 604) p. 162-164

Practise the full MP CHO -2021 (Shift 1st)

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