Parliament Question: Widespread Sleep Disorders

GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 3369 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07TH AUGUST,2026 WIDESPREADSLEEPDISORDERS 3369. THIRU DR. SJAGATHRATCHAKAN: Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate: (a) whether the Government has examined the growing public-health challenge arising from widespread sleep disorders, including insomnia, linked to changing lifestyles, workplace stress andirregularroutinesin the country,if so, the details thereof; (b) the measures undertaken by the Government to address sleep- related health concerns through awareness campaigns, preventive healthcare initiatives and integration of sleep medicineinto primaryhealthcaresystems; (c) the trends observed concerning the prevalence of sleep disorders and their impact on physical health,mental well-being,productivityandqualityof life; and (d) whether the Government has assessed the adequacy of existing healthcare infrastructure, specialist services and diagnostic facilities for addressing sleep-related conditions and the observations made thereon, if so, the detailsthereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE (SHRIPRATAPRAO JADHAV) (a) to (d) The National Mental Health Survey (NMHS), conducted in 2016 by NIMHANS, provided critical data on mental health prevalence and treatment gaps helping in assessing the outcome indicators and in shaping future directions of the mental health treatment programmes. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) advances mental health research in several areas, focusing onevidence-basedpsychosocial interventionsandcommunity-basedapproaches. To address the burdenof mentaldisorders, the Government of India isimplementing the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) in the country. The District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) component of the NMHP has been sanctioned for implementation in 767 districts for which support is provided to States/UTs through the National Health Mission. Facilities made available underDMHPat the CommunityHealth Centre(CHC) andPrimary HealthCentre(PHC)levels for all including elderly, inter- alia, include outpatient services, assessment, counselling/ psycho-social interventions, continuingcare andsupport topersons with severe mentaldisorders, drugs, outreach services, ambulance services etc. In addition to above services there is a provision of 10beddedin-patientfacility at the District level. The Government is also taking steps to strengthen mental healthcare services at primary healthcare level. The Government has upgraded more than 1.8 lakh Sub Health Centres (SHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) to Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. Mental health services have been added in the packages of services under Comprehensive Primary Health Care provided at these Ayushman ArogyaMandirs. Operational guidelinesandtrainingmanualsfor variouscadres on Mental, Neurological, and Substance Use Disorders (MNS) at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs have been released under the ambit of Ayushman Bharat. Further, wellness activities are also promoted at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, these promote mindfulness, relaxation and healthy lifestyle practices thatcontribute tobettersleep andoverall well-being. Community-based health promotion initiatives such as Fit India and other wellness campaigns encourage physical activityandhealthy living,which are importantfor maintaining healthysleep patterns. Besides the above, the Government has launched a “National Tele Mental Health Programme” on 10th October, 2022, to further improve access to quality mental health counselling and care services in the country. As on 27.07.2026, 36 States/ UTs have set up 53 Tele MANAS Cells. Tele-MANAS services are available in 20 languages based on language opted by States. More than42lakhscallshave been handledonthe helpline number. Under the National Tele Mental Health Programme (NTMHP), individuals experiencing sleep disturbances associated with stress, anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions can access free 24×7 tele-mental health counselling, psychological support, guidance on healthy sleep practices and sleep hygiene, and referral to appropriate healthcare facilities, whenever required. Further, as part of routine counselling, Tele-MANAS counsellors promote behavioural measures toimprove sleep, including healthysleep habitsandsleep hygiene. The Government has also launched Tele-MANAS Mobile Application on the occasion of World Mental Health Day - October 10, 2024. Tele-MANAS Mobile Application is a comprehensive Mobile platform that has been developed to provide support for mental health issues ranging from wellbeing to mental disorders. The Government has also launched the video consultation facilityunderTele-MANAS, asanotherupgrade tothe already existing audiocallingfacility. ****