Thiruvananthapuram | Keralam is giving its mental healthcare facilities a gentler new identity, Health Minister K Muraleedharan said on Wednesday.

The state plans to rename its three mental health centres as 'Happiness and Wellness Centres' and transform them into more welcoming spaces offering comprehensive care.

The decision, taken in accordance with a Keralam High Court direction, is part of the government's plan to modernise the centres and move away from an approach focused solely on treating mental illness, the minister said at a press conference here.

"The centres will be transformed into places that promote happiness and well-being," Muraleedharan said, adding that the government would improve their physical infrastructure and deploy the required staff.

The new centres would cater not only to people with mental illnesses but also to those seeking support for stress, anxiety, sleep problems, loneliness, workplace pressure and family-related issues, he said.

Counselling, mental health awareness, stress management and lifestyle interventions would be among the services offered. Yoga, meditation, exercise, reading, cultural activities and group programmes could also be incorporated to promote physical, mental and social well-being, he added.

The initiative aims to reduce hesitation among people to seek help, as the term 'mental health centre' is often associated with severe mental illness, the minister said, adding that the centres could help identify mental health concerns among young people, including stress, loneliness, substance-use risk, and issues related to education and employment.

The government has decided to set up 24x7 speciality services at district and general hospitals to ease the rush at medical college hospitals, Muraleedharan said.

These facilities, to be called 'Pratheeksha' centres, will offer round-the-clock services in medicine, surgery, orthopaedics, paediatrics and gynaecology. A trial run began at Punalur Taluk Headquarters Hospital on September 1, and the facility is expected to be fully operational by September 10, he said.

The government plans to set up at least one such centre in every district, with staff deployed as the scheme expands, Muraleedharan said, adding that the government had decided to identify and redeploy staff not being effectively utilised in some places.

The minister announced a new community-based public health campaign, 'Hridayaragam', to detect lifestyle diseases at an early stage and reduce the growing burden of treatment costs.

It will initially be piloted in three Assembly constituencies—Vattiyoorkavu in Thiruvananthapuram, Idukki, and Nilambur in Malappuram—before being expanded statewide based on the results.

All persons above 18 years of age will undergo population-based screening and risk assessment, and be categorised as mild, moderate or high risk, he said.

Those found at risk will be linked to specialist consultation, diagnostic tests, treatment and follow-up services, while newly diagnosed patients will be registered and given an individual health diary.

The campaign will involve household surveys, risk assessment, screening camps, health fairs, peer-support groups, diagnostic tests and ensuring the availability of essential medicines.

High-risk patients will receive consultation, investigation and treatment within 24 hours, while others will be linked to services within two weeks, the minister said.

Muraleedharan said the initiatives were part of efforts to overhaul the health system in the first 100 days of the UDF government. "We are initiating change. Change is inevitable," he added.