The Australian High Commissioner to India, Barry O’Farrell, and the Consul General – Chennai, Sarah Kirlew have announced the Direct Aid Programme (DAP) Grant to The George Institute for Global Health India. Total budget of the programme is Rs 18,90,960. Grant asked by The George Institute for Global Health, India from DAP and approved is Rs 9,90,960.

The project, ‘Strengthening Mental Health Systems through Action at District Level’, aims to build capacities of select District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) team in and around Hyderabad to use systems thinking approaches and tools to identify and address bottlenecks.

The George Institute for Global Health, India, will directly implement the Mental Health project in collaboration with key stakeholders.

Weak Mental Health (MH) Systems and processes are important contributors to service-gaps. Successful implementation of the DMHP is crucial for managing the large burden of Mental Morbidities in the country. ‍Several evaluations and expert committee reports have found a need for improved governance, monitoring and evaluation, and research to strengthen MH services. 

The key objectives and activities under this program include understanding mental health service availability, service gaps and challenges in implementation of DMHP in one district of Telangana; and Building capacity in core concepts of systems thinking and application of systems thinking tools for collective problem identification and problem-solving