Psychologists speak out against underutilization of qualified professionals
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By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Dec 9 : A group of Psychologists has submitted a memorandum to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla to strengthen mental health services and ensure proper utilisation of qualified Psychologists in education and health sector in Manipur.
In the memorandum, the Psychologists highlighted key concerns in the field of Psychology in Manipur, including the underutilization of qualified professionals in the education and health sectors and employment of unqualified individuals in clinical roles among others.
They called for the immediate implementation of Supreme Court directives, which require the appointment or engagement of at least one qualified Counsellor, Psychologist, or social worker with demonstrable training in child and adolescent mental health in all educational institutions with 100 or more enrolled students.
They further urged the Governor to carry out a verification drive of the academic and professional qualification of individuals currently serving as Psychologists or Clinical Psychologists under educational institutions, health institutions and other State departments to ensure compliance with RCI/NCHAP/UGC norms and prevent misuse of mental health positions.
They demanded that all mental health related posts, especially Clinical Psychologists, be filled by individuals possessing the required academic degrees, supervised training, internships and valid RCI licences.
Saying that no State University in Manipur offers an undergraduate degree in Psychology, they added that many Psychology students are compelled to pursue their education outside the State only to return to extremely limited professional opportunities in Manipur.
According to them, only Manipur University offers a postgraduate programme in Psychology and it has produced about 500 graduates since 2019.
Saying that one of the most serious challenges faced by the discipline of Psychology is the frequent appointment of individuals from allied or unrelated fields, they added that this practice dilutes the integrity of the disciple and significantly compromises the quality of services provided to the public.
They pointed out that many Psychology graduates in Manipur remain largely underutilized, while specialized positions are often filled by unqualified individuals from allied disciplines.
They also said that engagement of unqualified individuals in clinical posts violates statutory norms, endangers patients and undermines the integrity of mental health services.
Saying that Manipur has long endured psychological distress as a conflict affected State, they added that mental health support has become not merely desirable but essential.
They demanded establishment of a well functioning 11th and 12th standard Psychology programmes undergraduate programme in Psychology, postgraduate programme where absent and M Phil (equivalent degrees as amended from time to time)/Psy.D/Clinical Psychology training programmes in State medical colleges.
IMPHAL, Dec 9 : A group of Psychologists has submitted a memorandum to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla to strengthen mental health services and ensure proper utilisation of qualified Psychologists in education and health sector in Manipur.
In the memorandum, the Psychologists highlighted key concerns in the field of Psychology in Manipur, including the underutilization of qualified professionals in the education and health sectors and employment of unqualified individuals in clinical roles among others.
They called for the immediate implementation of Supreme Court directives, which require the appointment or engagement of at least one qualified Counsellor, Psychologist, or social worker with demonstrable training in child and adolescent mental health in all educational institutions with 100 or more enrolled students.
They further urged the Governor to carry out a verification drive of the academic and professional qualification of individuals currently serving as Psychologists or Clinical Psychologists under educational institutions, health institutions and other State departments to ensure compliance with RCI/NCHAP/UGC norms and prevent misuse of mental health positions.
They demanded that all mental health related posts, especially Clinical Psychologists, be filled by individuals possessing the required academic degrees, supervised training, internships and valid RCI licences.
Saying that no State University in Manipur offers an undergraduate degree in Psychology, they added that many Psychology students are compelled to pursue their education outside the State only to return to extremely limited professional opportunities in Manipur.
According to them, only Manipur University offers a postgraduate programme in Psychology and it has produced about 500 graduates since 2019.
Saying that one of the most serious challenges faced by the discipline of Psychology is the frequent appointment of individuals from allied or unrelated fields, they added that this practice dilutes the integrity of the disciple and significantly compromises the quality of services provided to the public.
They pointed out that many Psychology graduates in Manipur remain largely underutilized, while specialized positions are often filled by unqualified individuals from allied disciplines.
They also said that engagement of unqualified individuals in clinical posts violates statutory norms, endangers patients and undermines the integrity of mental health services.
Saying that Manipur has long endured psychological distress as a conflict affected State, they added that mental health support has become not merely desirable but essential.
They demanded establishment of a well functioning 11th and 12th standard Psychology programmes undergraduate programme in Psychology, postgraduate programme where absent and M Phil (equivalent degrees as amended from time to time)/Psy.D/Clinical Psychology training programmes in State medical colleges.