Shortage of psychiatric social workers grips mental healthcare system in Kerala’s govt. hospitals (opens original article in a new tab)

Kerala's government hospitals are experiencing a crisis in mental healthcare due to a shortage of psychiatric social workers, with vacant positions and salary disparities reported.

• Kerala's government hospitals face a crisis due to a shortage of psychiatric social workers, with 8 of 15 posts vacant in the Directorate of Health Services.
• The Kerala Public Service Commission has only reported four vacancies for psychiatric social workers between 2021 and 2025, and no temporary arrangements are in place to fill the gaps.
• Psychiatric social workers claim salary disparities compared to clinical psychologists, citing unscientific qualification criteria that allow less qualified candidates to apply for the same positions.