Union WCD Minister launches 2nd Phase of SAMVAD

Source: PIB

What is the News?

The Union Minister of Women and Child Development has launched the 2nd phase of SAMVAD programme.

About SAMVAD Programme:

1. SAMVAD stands for Support, Advocacy & Mental health interventions for children in Vulnerable circumstances And Distress.
2. Mandate: It is a National Initiative and Integrated Resource that works in child protection, mental health and psychosocial care. 
3. Aim: To provide mental health outreach for children who are abandoned and orphaned, child survivors of trafficking, or in conflict with law.
4. Implementation: The programme is led by National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences(NIMHANS). It is funded by Ministry of of Women and Child Development.
   • NIMHANS is the apex centre of mental health and neuroscience education. It operates autonomously under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
5. Under the Programme, training is being provided to Child Protection Functionaries, tele-counsellors, educators, law professionals among others. The training will be provided to cope mechanisms for children in distress.
6. In the second phase, SAMVAD is slated to begin work with Panchayati Raj institutions to integrate child protection and mental health in aspirational districts across the country. This will help facilitate awareness generation and improve service delivery at the grassroot level.