Budget 2022: National Tele Mental Health program to be launched soon, says FM

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday announced the launch og a National Tele Mental Health program, saying that Covid-19 pandemic has accentuated mental health problems in people of all ages.

“The pandemic has accentuated mental health problems in people of all ages. To better the access to quality mental health counselling and care services, a National Tele Mental health program will be launched,” she said while presenting the Union Budget 2022-23 in the Parliament today.

She added, ”This will include a network of 23 tele mental health centers of excellence with Nimhans being the nodal centre and IIT Bangalore providing technical support.”

The Union Minister said that the Budget seeks to lay the foundation to steer the economy over ‘Amrit Kaal’ of next 25 years, from India at 75 to India at 100 and continuing to build on the vision of Budget.

Presenting the Union Budget, Sitharaman said that the overall sharp rebound and recovery of the economy is reflective of India’s strong resilience.

FM Sitharaman began her presentation of Budget 2022 by expressing empathy with those who were affected by the adverse health and economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Finance Minister said that India’s economic growth in the current year is estimated to be 9.2 per cent, the highest among all large economies.

Before the presentation, a Union Cabinet meeting was held which approved the Budget 2022-23.