We the concerned Professionals of Mental health, Clinical Psychologist of India are concerned about the future of Mental Health in India after what NITI Aayog has stated in its meeting.

National Education Policy, 2020 (NEP) was expected to bring long-lasting positive impact on the education system and making India a global hub of skilled manpower. One of the salient features of NEP 2020- Single overarching umbrella body for promotion of higher education sector including teacher education and excluding medical and legal education.

NEP excludes professional courses to be regulated and monitored by respective councils, then M.Phil clinical psychology which is professional course is specifically targeted for modification its whole course curriculum by the NITI Aayog.

As per the minutes of the meeting on finalizing alternatives to discontinuing M.Phil. Clinical Psychology (RCI) held on Oct11, 2023 it is stated that the professional education and qualification of a clinical psychologist will be reduced and degraded by reducing the professional qualification from M.Phil. (Which is acquired after masters) to graduation and further treating Graduation and Masters at same level as the qualification to be a clinical psychologist.

There are certain important considerations to be undertaken-

1.      Why were psychiatrist included in the meeting with NITI Aayog when the future of Clinical Psychology and Clinical Psychologist was been decided, and no adequate representation of Clinical Psychology was not there who actually understand the difficulties and nitty-gritties of the field. Are Clinical Psychologist invited in MCI (Medical Council of India) meeting when psychiatry is been discussed???

2.      As clearly stated in the NEP POLICY the medical field will be excluded from the changes suggested by Niti Aayog. Since the clinical psychologists works professionally in a clinical setup and provide treatments accordingly. It is a part of medical field only.  It is considered as mental health professional and the training and education provided is similar to any other medical field. So the structure and curriculum of the course is framed and regulated in the same manner.

3.      If the point is M.Phil. Word in the course title, then why not only the course title be renamed and agreed.

4.      What about RCI act which defines clinical psychologist and mental health care act 2017.  Is it not contravention to the Act?

5.      As it was earlier notified through F.No.3-2/Cli.Psy./RCI/2019 dated 15october, 2020 that the M.Phil. Clinical Psychology and M.Phil. Rehabilitation Psychology will continue without any changes in its nomenclature or in the structure as these are professional training programs in the area of mental health and rehabilitation respectively and not a pre doctoral research academic programme of 1 year duration. 

6.      Changes in the structure and curriculum as suggested by the Niti Aayog in the recent meetings will hamper the profession. This will surely increase the quantity of the professionals but will severely reduce the quality of the clinical psychologists. This in turn will severely impact the quality of the treatment provided to the mentally ill.

7.      India needs 3 psychiatrists per lakh population, but has only 0.7 as per Times of India, October 10, 2023 issue. The article also states that Dr. VK Paul (Member, Niti Aayog, Health) stated that postgraduate medical seats in psychiatry needs to be increased to augment the required manpower. So similarly, pondering about increasing the number of seats of professional training of clinical psychologists in RCI approved institutes can be done instead of degrading the professional training and degree.

8.      This will help in maintaining the quality of the professionals, the treatment provided to the mentally ill as well as increase the number of trained qualified professionals for mental health.  

9.      The professional training is very rigorous and requires the basic foundation of psychology as for MBBS the requirement is biology and chemistry in 11th and 12th standard. Similarly, for professional training and degree in clinical psychology- graduation and masters lay the foundation for understanding human behaviour and psyche. So students at graduation level cannot be expected to have the maturity and understanding which is basic and mandatory to provide effective treatment. Therefore, a professional training after masters is a must and the requirement to provide qualitative and accountable treatment to the mentally ill.  

10.  We are seeing an increase in suicide cases of engineering and medical field aspirants due to the stress levels which they are unable to manage. By implementing the above said pathway we might push our future generations in the same boat as they will lack the basic skills and knowledge and most importantly the maturity level (emotional and physical) which is required to become a professional in the field of mental health in contrast to the medical aspirants as they undergo biology and chemistry training in 11th and 12th standard. Psychology is a subject offered by limited schools. 

The move sounds the death knell for mental healthcare and will create hybrid professionals. These professionals, on paper, may create quantity but will lack in quality. Rather than changing the structure altogether it would be highly suggestible to rename the degree to emphasize and provide the respective authenticity similar to other medical fields. 

In light of the above points, the perspective of the state regarding the removal of the course and further suggested implementation, is inadvisable. 

*Mental health should not be taken lightly, which is what this move implies*

Additionally, this further opens avenues for the degradation of the understanding and practice of the field, along with putting less qualified amateur individuals in the field who may approach mental health and wellness as a negative or fatal experience for the Citizens of India.

Therefore, we are unequivocally against the implementation of this change and firmly oppose it in both theory and practice.