The Kerala government has proposed renaming its state-run mental health centres as “Happiness and Wellness Centres.” The move aims to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and make these facilities more welcoming to patients.
The state has three major government mental health centres in Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, and Kozhikode.
Medical Bodies Raise Concerns
However, the Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS) and the Indian Medical Association (IMA) in Kerala have opposed the proposal. They argue that the new name may not clearly reflect the specialised psychiatric services provided at these institutions.
The medical organisations have also raised concerns about removing the term “mental health” from the centres’ names.
Focus on Better Patient Care
Meanwhile, mental health experts have stressed that changing the name alone will not improve mental healthcare. Instead, they have called for better infrastructure, adequate staff, medicines, security, and rehabilitation facilities.
As per The Hindu, the debate highlights the need to focus on strengthening mental healthcare services alongside efforts to reduce stigma.
Balancing Awareness and Healthcare
The discussion reflects the challenge of making mental healthcare more approachable while maintaining clear medical identities for specialised institutions. Therefore, experts have emphasised that improving the quality and accessibility of mental healthcare should remain the primary focus.