At CNBC-TV18's Future Female Forward event, Anisha Padukone, CEO of The Live Love Laugh Foundation, delivered an impassioned plea for greater attention to mental health care, focusing on the critical need for improved insurance coverage.
In her remarks, Padukone underscored the significance of the Mental Health Care Act of 2017, calling it a pivotal moment for mental health advocacy in India. "I think one of the defining moments where mental health is concerned was the Mental Health Care Act of 2017," she said. "Having that legislation in place is useful, but the implementation of some of those points would be even more useful."
One of the major provisions of the 2017 Act was the decriminalisation of suicide, a step Padukone praised for addressing mental health issues at the grassroots level. However, she pointed out that despite these legislative advancements, practical application, especially regarding insurance coverage for mental health, remains inadequate.
"The ask from the government and the private sector is to ensure that mental health insurance coverage translates to being provided on the ground," Padukone emphasized. She highlighted that while policies may exist on paper, the real challenge is in their execution and accessibility for the general population.
Addressing the private sector, Padukone called for collaboration to make mental health services more affordable and accessible. "There's a lot of aspects that can be mitigated by going forward," she noted. "Insurance coverage for mental health is something that we're trying to work on at a policy level."
Reflecting on her journey and mission, Padukone expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to make a difference in people's lives. "I feel a lot of gratitude to be able to do what I am doing, to be able to have found two things that I am extremely passionate about—golf first and now this," she said. "Being able to help people at their time of extreme need is a big part of my body and soul."
Padukone's message at the Future Female Forward event was clear: while legislative frameworks like the Mental Health Care Act of 2017 are vital, the true measure of success lies in their implementation. She called for concerted efforts from both the government and the private sector to ensure that mental health insurance becomes a reality for all, thereby paving the way for a healthier, more inclusive society.
Also read: Future Female Forward | Former supercop Meeran Borwankar on law enforcement and gender equality
In her remarks, Padukone underscored the significance of the Mental Health Care Act of 2017, calling it a pivotal moment for mental health advocacy in India. "I think one of the defining moments where mental health is concerned was the Mental Health Care Act of 2017," she said. "Having that legislation in place is useful, but the implementation of some of those points would be even more useful."
One of the major provisions of the 2017 Act was the decriminalisation of suicide, a step Padukone praised for addressing mental health issues at the grassroots level. However, she pointed out that despite these legislative advancements, practical application, especially regarding insurance coverage for mental health, remains inadequate.
"The ask from the government and the private sector is to ensure that mental health insurance coverage translates to being provided on the ground," Padukone emphasized. She highlighted that while policies may exist on paper, the real challenge is in their execution and accessibility for the general population.
Addressing the private sector, Padukone called for collaboration to make mental health services more affordable and accessible. "There's a lot of aspects that can be mitigated by going forward," she noted. "Insurance coverage for mental health is something that we're trying to work on at a policy level."
Reflecting on her journey and mission, Padukone expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to make a difference in people's lives. "I feel a lot of gratitude to be able to do what I am doing, to be able to have found two things that I am extremely passionate about—golf first and now this," she said. "Being able to help people at their time of extreme need is a big part of my body and soul."
Padukone's message at the Future Female Forward event was clear: while legislative frameworks like the Mental Health Care Act of 2017 are vital, the true measure of success lies in their implementation. She called for concerted efforts from both the government and the private sector to ensure that mental health insurance becomes a reality for all, thereby paving the way for a healthier, more inclusive society.
Also read: Future Female Forward | Former supercop Meeran Borwankar on law enforcement and gender equality
(Edited by : Anand Singha)
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