mental health Image Credit source: Getty Images
In Budget 2026, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced to take an important step regarding mental health. Keeping in mind the rapidly increasing mental health problems in the country, the government has announced to improve the facilities for treatment, research and training. In this series, it has been announced to establish NIMHANS-2 and to build mental health centers in Ranchi and Tezpur. The government believes that mental illnesses can no longer be ignored and strong institutions are needed to treat them.
Currently, such specialist centers are limited to limited cities only, due to which patients have to travel long distances for treatment. This initiative of Budget 2026 focuses on making mental health services more accessible. With this, patients will get good treatment and the number of experts and research related to mental health will also increase.
NIMHANS-2 announced in Budget 2026
The announcement of NIMHANS-2 in Budget 2026 is being considered a big step in the mental health sector. NIMHANS-2 will be a national level institute, which will become a center for treatment, research and training related to mental diseases and neuro sciences. This institute will be developed on the model of the existing NIMHANS, so that the same level of facilities can be available in other parts of the country.
The aim of the government is that complex cases related to mental health can be treated in a better way within the country. There will be arrangements for expert doctors, modern technology and training in NIMHANS-2. This will not only benefit the patients, but will also provide medical students and mental health professionals an opportunity to learn and work better.
Center in Ranchi-Tezpur
Ranchi and Tezpur have been selected for mental health centers in Budget 2026. Special institutions for mental health will be developed in both these cities. The aim of these centers is to provide better treatment to the people of local and surrounding areas. With this, patients will not have to migrate to big cities.
The centers to be built in Ranchi and Tezpur will become a strong base for mental health services at the regional level. Along with treatment, facilities for counselling, rehabilitation and training will also be developed here.
mental health priority
Mental health has been clearly given priority in Budget 2026. The government has admitted that stress, depression and other mental problems are increasing rapidly. In such a situation, strong institutions and facilities are very important. NIMHANS-2 and the new mental health centers are part of this thinking.
These initiatives will increase awareness about mental illnesses and reduce hesitation regarding treatment. The focus of the government is that mental health should be given as much importance as physical health, so that people can get the right treatment on time.