Context: The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) issues guidelines for dealing with mental health challenges. It proposes a ‘Gatekeeper Model’, where selected inmates would be trained to identify prisoners at risk of suicide and subsequently refer them to treatment or supportive services.

Background

• The Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA) observed that the COVID-19 virus had posed unique challenges to the world. It has also affected the prisons and correctional facilities.
• Acting on the request of the MHA, NIMHANS has issued a set of guidelines on the management of mental health issues of the prisoners and prison staff.

Guidelines by NIMHANS

• Prisoners with mental disorders had to be regularly assessed for the severity of the suicidal risk and also put on regular and supervised medication. 
• It proposes a ‘Gatekeeper Model’ where selected inmates would be trained to identify prisoners at risk of suicide and subsequently refer them to treatment or supportive services.
• To address the prisoner’s mental health needs, the correctional facility should have links to community-based initiatives like the District Mental Health Program.
• It proposes the introduction of a buddy system in prisons. Under this, social support through trained prisoners called “buddies” or “listeners” is provided to the prisoners.
• Periodic telephone conversations with friends and family should be conducted at regular intervals.
• For instance, 58 mobile phones were purchased for prisoners in Tamil Nadu. It enabled them to make video calls to their family members in lieu of the physical interviews that were temporarily suspended in view of the pandemic.

Need of Guidelines

• There is a prevalence of mental illness and substance use disorder in about 80% of the prison population as per a Bangalore Prison Mental Health Study.
• Further, incarcerated people are facing many vulnerabilities during the pandemic, which might impact their mental wellbeing.
• The prison staff is also working under tremendous pressure. It is facing challenges in performing their duty while safeguarding themselves from contracting the infection.