A shortage of psychiatric social workers is crippling the mental health care system in the Kerala government. HOSPITAL

The mental health care system in government hospitals in Kerala appears to be in the grip of crisis due to a reported shortage of psychiatric social workers who play a key role in the psychosocial rehabilitation of patients.

Psychiatric social workers are mental health professionals who provide therapy, casework, and rehabilitation for people with mental disorders. They hold a Postgraduate Degree in Social Work (MSW) and an MPhil in Psychiatric Social Work from a University recognized by the Grants Commission. Their work is significant in bridging the gap between mental health treatment and the patient’s social background. In addition to assessing the patient’s mental state, they also deal with medical diagnosis, psychosocial therapy and psychosocial rehabilitation.

According to official sources, eight of the 15 sanctioned posts under the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) are vacant. Three of the four posts attached to the Directorate of Medical Education (DME) are also vacant. Between 2021 and 2025, only four vacancies have been reported to the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) for recruitment. Sources said there are currently no interim arrangements to fill the vacancies. There are also no valid rank lists within the PSC.

Meanwhile, the state government is yet to make changes in the qualification criteria of psychiatric social workers under the Mental Health Act, 2017 as ordered by the Kerala Administrative Tribunal in February 2021. The PSC recruitment process has been put on hold as the changed qualification criteria have not been officially notified.

KV Binumon, a psychiatric social worker who works with the government’s ‘Vimukthi’ anti-addiction project, says these mental health professionals also face pay inequality. “Along with psychiatrists and clinical psychologists, our role is equally important in the mental health care system. Despite having a two-year MPhil degree equivalent to clinical psychologists, we face wage discrimination. The main reason for this disparity is the non-scientific qualification criteria set by the PSC. Currently, the rules allow candidates with a basic MSW, or even an MSc in psychology or even a master’s in psychology or sociology to apply for this professional post-nomology. MPhil in Psychiatric social workers, employed on a permanent or contract basis by DHS and DME, are unfairly forced to work for far less pay than clinical psychologists,” she says.

Published – 17 Jun 2026 20:45 IST