Kerala's government hospitals face shortage of psychiatric social workers

Kerala's mental healthcare system is grappling with a critical shortage of psychiatric social workers in government hospitals. Under the Directorate of Health Services, eight of the 15 sanctioned positions remain unfilled, while the Directorate of Medical Education has three vacancies out of four authorized posts.

The staffing gap is hampering the delivery of mental health services across the state's government healthcare facilities, affecting patient care and support systems.