NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, INDIA have dedicated manpower development schemes in addition to continuing with the community care approach adopted under the District Mental Health Programme. These schemes must aim at increasing the PG training capacity in the mental health specialties of psychiatry, clinical psychology, psychiatric social work and psychiatric nursing. Also, States having shortage of trained professionals can invite professionals from other States. Further, proper mechanisms are required in certain States to place trained mental health nurses in mental health programmes. States can also invite manpower from other States. xi. Efficient utilization of available human resources: Already, there is an acute shortage of mental health staff be it psychiatrists, clinical psychologists or psychiatric nurses. Moreover, the already available human resource is not being utilized efficiently. It is recommended that a proper monitoring mechanism is required so that the available human resource is utilized efficiently. xii. Requirement of a Standardized protocol for Drug De-addiction Centers: In order to address the issue of illegal drug de-addiction centers, it is required that a standardized protocol is developed for the same. xiii. Strengthening efforts towards Suicide Prevention: States need to develop programmes to improve the efficacy of general healthcare services in relation to individuals with suicidal ideation, suicidal behaviour, and substance abuse/dependence by enhancing skills of the concerned professionals for early identification and risk assessment for suicide. xiv. Development of Norms for Quality and Service Provision: As stated in the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 development of Norms for Quality and Service provision for different types of Mental Health Establishments are required to be initiated at the earliest. 6.11 The above recommendations have been sent to all the State Governments/Union Territories (UTs), participating Union Ministries, State Human Rights Commissions (SHRC), Government bodies viz., Medical Council of India, Indian Nursing Council and all the other participants and stakeholders of the meeting for their consideration and necessary action. 6.12 In this connection, information from States/UTs regarding the implementation of some of the important provisions enlisted under the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 was collected through a questionnaire addressed to all the States/UTs. A total of twenty four responses were received, out of which, only twelve States/UTs have constituted the State Mental Health Authority. Moreover, Special Rapporteur, NHRC, had visited Rajasthan on 21st June 2019, Maharashtra on 10th July 2019, Bihar on 24th July 2019, Goa on 28th August 2019, Madhya Pradesh on 25th Sept 2019 and Chhattisgarh on 27th Sept 2019 in order to review the implementation status of Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 by these States. In this regard, the respective State Governments were strongly recommended to adhere to the provisions laid out in the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 at the earliest be it formation of State Mental health Authority, Mental Health Review Boards, development of quality and service norms, addressing the manpower shortage concerns and appropriate training of the professionals. 92 ANNUAL REPORT 2019-20