A new study by MGM Medical College, Indore has raised serious concerns about the alarming shortage of psychiatrists in the indore division. The findings reveal a huge gap between mental health needs and the availability of specialists. Here are the key takeaways:


1 Only 71 Psychiatrists for the Entire Division

  • The study found that just 71 psychiatrists are practicing across the entire indore division.
  • Shockingly, 90% of them are concentrated in indore city.


2 Districts Without a Single Psychiatrist

  • Alirajpur, Jhabua, and Burhanpur districts do not have even one psychiatrist.
  • Together, these districts have a population of over 25 lakh, left without specialised mental health care.


3 Far Below WHO Standards

  • The World health Organisation (WHO) recommends 3 psychiatrists per 1 lakh population.
  • In indore division, availability is only 0.21 per 1 lakh, indicating a massive shortfall.


4 indore vs Other Districts: Stark Contrast

  • Indore district has 63 psychiatrists for a population of 32.7 lakh (ratio: 1.92 per lakh).
  • Neighboring districts, however, are at 0 psychiatrists per lakh, showing a disturbing imbalance.


5 400 More Psychiatrists Needed

  • To meet the WHO benchmark, the region needs 400 additional psychiatrists.
  • Without this, lakhs of people will remain deprived of proper mental health support.


6 Tele-Mental health Could Be a Lifeline

  • Researchers suggest boosting Tele-MANAS helpline and tele-psychiatry services.
  • This could bridge the gap in remote districts where psychiatrists are absent.


7 Recognition for the Study

  • The research, conducted under Dr VS Pal, with contributions from Dr Arvind Ghanghoria, Dr Vijay Niranjan, Dr Ashwin Chauhan, Dr Riya Gangwal, and Dr Ankit Kushwaha, has been awarded at the State Psychiatry Conference.
  • It is also set to be published in the Indian Journal of Psychiatry, underlining its importance.


 Final Note:
The study highlights a pressing mental health crisis—awareness, infrastructure, and manpower must be strengthened urgently to ensure no district is left without psychiatric care.


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Kokila Chokkanathan

26/08/2025 09:14 AM