NHRC, India Image 7.2: Session 2 of the Meeting of the Core Group on Health and Mental Health on 22 December 2021 7.23 Important recommendations that emerged out of Session 2 of the meeting of the core group on health and mental health are: • Tele-medicine and tele-therapy need to be employed on a larger scale to bridge gaps in mental health services. • Investment on mental health services, especially at taluk, district and State levels, needs to be increased significantly. • Number of trained manpower to deal with mental health issues, such as Psychiatrists, Psychiatric nurses, Personal Support Workers (PSWs), Clinical Psychologists, Psychologists, etc. need to be increased substantially. • District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) services need to be reviewed annually to identify and bridge the gaps. • State-wise directory of services for acute care and tele-care facilities, helplines, rehabilitation centres and NGOs working in the mental health sector needs to be maintained and periodically updated. • Awareness programmes by involving print and electronic media, grass root level functionaries and civil society organisations need to be launched to create awareness among the public. • Regular trainings and awareness programmes on issues relating to mental health need to be organised for community workers. ANNUAL REPORT 70 2021-22