Mannhit

Modern day lifestyle issues induce stress among adults as well as children. In this case, elevated stress levels stemming from health concerns, work-related pressures, and personal challenges have altered the way we navigate our daily lives. But, at the same time, it has taught us how important it is to have a balanced mental health since it has the power to influence decision-making, coping with stress, and interpersonal interactions. Recognizing the significance of mental health, it is crucial to overcome the mental health taboo in India that hinders access to adequate healthcare opportunities.

The only way to achieve wider access to mental health while removing its stigma is by providing knowledge regarding mental stress, underlying psychological issues, causes of common mental health problems, negative effects of societal stigma, and more. However, keeping aside social stigma, restricted access to mental health professionals, and financial constraints often become one of the biggest barriers to accessing required help for mental health. Therefore, NHM has brought digitized solutions to overcome these barriers.

Mannhit App, powered by NHM for Madhya Pradesh, is a notable example, providing digital screening, self-assessment, and therapeutics that offer free-of-cost alternatives to mental health care in a standardized format.

The app's screening tools assess mental and emotional well-being, generating preliminary insights into different aspects of mental health. A higher score indicates a potential mental health concern, recommending proper diagnosis from mental care specialists. While the app provides a perspective of high to low risk of mental health in the individual, it does not diagnose it for them.

In the context of low- and middle-income countries like India, mental health apps provide a promising avenue in the wake of challenges such as resource limitations. The app's functionality of self-assessment is highly impressive for early detection and immediate assistance before symptoms escalate. The Mental Health Unit of NHM, MP, has led this effort with the development of "Mannhit," a Mental Health Screening App. This initiative not only facilitates self-assessment but also establishes crucial connections with Tele-MANAS, District Mental Health Units, and Mental Health Institutions, thereby personalizing treatment approaches to individual needs. As global mobile app accessibility continues to improve, mental health apps contribute significantly to making mental health care more accessible and adaptable to diverse needs.

Aims of the Mental Health App- ‘Mannhit’

To help users develop an understanding of mental health literacy.

To self-assess both short-term and long-term mental health symptoms.

To help users develop awareness about their mental health symptoms.

To assist others who have mental health issues.

To raise user awareness about available certified resources for support in dealing with mental. health symptoms like Tele-MANAS & Man-Kaksh.

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