THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : Kerala will rename its three mental health centres as “Happiness and Wellness Centres” as part of a broader effort to modernise mental healthcare, reduce stigma and widen access to services, Health Minister K. Muraleedharan said on Wednesday.

The decision, taken in line with a Kerala High Court direction, is aimed at transforming the facilities from institutions primarily associated with the treatment of mental illness into centres offering a wider range of mental health and wellness services.

“The centres will be transformed into places that promote happiness and well-being,” Muraleedharan said, adding that the government would strengthen infrastructure and ensure adequate staffing.

Under the revamped model, the centres will cater not only to people with mental illnesses but also to those seeking support for stress, anxiety, sleep disorders, loneliness, workplace pressure and family-related concerns.

Services are expected to include counselling, mental health awareness programmes, stress management and lifestyle interventions. Yoga, meditation, exercise, reading, cultural activities and group programmes could also be introduced to support physical, mental and social well-being.

The government hopes the change will help reduce hesitation among people seeking psychological support, with the existing term “mental health centre” often associated with severe mental illness.

The centres will also focus on identifying mental health concerns among young people, including stress, loneliness, substance-use risks and problems linked to education and employment.

24-hour speciality services planned

Separately, Kerala will introduce round-the-clock speciality services at district and general hospitals in an effort to reduce pressure on medical college hospitals.

The facilities, to be known as “Pratheeksha” centres, will offer 24-hour services in medicine, surgery, orthopaedics, paediatrics and gynaecology.

A trial began at Punalur Taluk Headquarters Hospital on September 1, with the centre expected to become fully operational by September 10. The government plans to establish at least one such facility in every district.

New lifestyle disease screening programme

Muraleedharan also announced “Hridayaragam”, a community-based public health initiative aimed at identifying lifestyle diseases at an early stage and reducing the growing cost of treatment.

The programme will initially be piloted in three Assembly constituencies: Vattiyoorkavu in Thiruvananthapuram, Idukki and Nilambur in Malappuram, before a potential statewide rollout based on the results.

Under the programme, people aged above 18 will undergo population-based screening and risk assessment and will be classified as having mild, moderate or high risk.

Those identified as being at risk will be connected with specialist consultations, diagnostic tests, treatment and follow-up care, while newly diagnosed patients will be registered and provided with individual health diaries.