Uttarakhand mental health initiative wins SKOCH Gold Award

DEHRADUN: The State Mental Health Authority (SMHA) of Uttarakhand’s medical health and family welfare department has received the SKOCH Gold Award 2025 (health category) for its work on mental health governance under the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017.

In collaboration with NIMHANS, Bengaluru, the state also conducted what officials described as perhaps India’s first state-wide epidemiological survey on child and adolescent mental health.

Dr Shikha Jangpangi, CEO, SMHA Uttarakhand, and Dr Sumit Deb Barman, joint director, SMHA, received the award at the India Habitat Centre.

SMHA officials said mental health is a national investment. “Global evidence suggests a 4:1 return on investment in mental healthcare. Indian estimates indicate returns of up to 6.5 times when interventions are implemented early. Mental health is not a cost centre but a strategic investment in human capability and productivity,” said Jangpangi.

Barman said the state has focused on strengthening regulation and coordination at the district level, with mental healthcare being positioned as an issue of dignity, access and rights.

He added that Uttarakhand is developing a digital public health system integrating Tele-MANAS, e-MANAS and Mann Samvaad AI.

The SKOCH awards are independent civil honours given for effective governance across sectors.
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