Union Budget: Experts urge govt to remove 18 pc GST on mental health services

The government must remove or limit the 18 per cent Goods and Services Tax GST on mental health services and allocate resources strategically to help India become a mentally resilient society experts said on the eve of Union Budget presentation on MondayMental health is a key area of concern that can have a significant impact on the productivity and economy of the countryldquoMental health issues are highly prevalent yet are poorly managed and are affecting a significant number of our population In the upcoming Budget we urge the government to remove or reduce the 18 per cent GST on mental health servicesrdquo Jyoti Kapoor founder amp director of Manasthali Wellness saidAccording to experts with declining mental health there has been an increase in the need for health insurance policies that cover both physical and mental healthUnfortunately people are not reporting these conditions as the cost of the available medications and therapies often proves challengingDivya Mohindroo counselling psychologist highlighted the need for comprehensive policies to handle Indias mental health crisis and the need to increase the workforce in the sectorldquoOut of an estimated 150 million people needing mental health services only fewer than 30 million seek helprdquo Mohindroo told IANSldquoLack of mental health professionals is crippling in India with merely 03 psychiatrists 007 psychologists and 007 social workers available per 100000 peoplerdquo she addedldquoThere should be specific measures for mental health and we are hopeful the Budget will prioritise this urgent issue There is an immediate need to strengthen Indias mental health workforce with just one psychiatrist per two lakh peoplerdquo Mohindroo saidShe also suggested ldquoscholarships to train professionals to help reduce this gaprdquoThe experts also suggested incorporating mental health services into healthcare insurance coverageldquoWhile government centres receive some relief private practitioners are left burdened Extending tax benefits to private practitioners is crucial given the high operational costs for the average therapist In addition to acknowledging the financial difficulties experienced by private practitioners this change would help lower the cost and increase public accessibility to mental health carerdquo Kapoor saidldquoThis will help our citizens access mental healthcare without burdening them financiallyrdquo added MohindrooThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever