Navigating the Chaos: Understanding the Latest Rehabilitation Council of India Guidelines in 2024

The recent guidelines issued by RCI have created unrest amongst the aspiring minds of psychology. The Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) has released a fresh circular specifically targeting individuals who have a keen interest in studying psychology. The regulatory body has recently introduced a new set of guidelines for the BSc Clinical Psychology (Honours) course. It aimed to address the need for trained and competent professionals for mental health, more specifically for the treatment of patients with less serious emotional and psychological ailments, that could be detrimental in the long run.

Although they represent a relatively small portion of all mental health cases, people with severe mental illnesses have had their needs effectively met by the increasing number of mental health facilities and specialists. However, there aren't enough qualified specialists to handle the increasing demand for mental health treatment for minor ailments, which make up the bulk of cases and can result in dysfunction and long-term disability. This appeared to be the justification for the recent regulations stated by the RCI

The Criteria stated by the new guidelines

The new course of RCI that is B.Sc. Clinical Psychology (Hons) program, would commence in the first week of August and run through August 25th, 2024–25. RCI aims to prepare undergraduates to offer thorough counselling services for mental health concerns.

Criteria and structure

1) 4 years in length

2)The degree is a B.Sc. in Clinical Psychology with Honors. 60% of the coursework is applied through lectures, workshops, community service, and clinical placements, with the remaining 40% being theoretical. Licensed clinical psychologists with active CRRs who can mentor students make up the faculty.

3) 12th-grade graduates specializing in science would be eligible for the program.

4)Only organizations with RCI approval can provide this program.

The Rehabilitation Council of India had sought to simplify the course of action for mental health and psychologists; however, the guidelines are methodologically ambiguous and have several flaws that could be detrimental to psychology as a whole. Let's examine the potential effects of the new guidelines in more detail.

The rise of capitalist private practices and unemployment in mental health aid.

The course will only be offered by four medical colleges in Mumbai that have received approval from the RCI. These include the Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of Speech and Hearing Disabilities (Divyangjan), the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disability (Divyangajan) Regional Center, the Topiwala National Medical College, and the All India Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AIIPMR). Divija Bhasin, also known as awkwardgoat3, is a social media user who has voiced concerns regarding the new rules. In her recent share, she highlighted how the guidelines would ultimately lead to a decrease in the number of psychologists and mental health professionals in the country.

Additionally, these courses have a lower acceptance rate and require a background in science for admission. As a result, the current class of counselling psychologists (MA) may no longer be able to practice, as only students from RCI-approved colleges will be accepted. This could lead to widespread unemployment and the stigmatization of mental health professionals as unqualified, even though they have the necessary credentials and licenses. Furthermore, if there is a decrease in the number of counselling psychologists, there will be a higher demand for mental health professionals in private practice, leading to increased capitalist activities in the mental health service industry. With a rising demand for professional mental health services and a decreasing supply of practitioners, individuals may have no choice but to seek services from private practices.

The discrimination based on a choice of stream

The current eligibility criteria for enrolling in an RCI-approved course only allow students with a science background to apply, excluding those from non-science backgrounds who have not studied psychology in high school. This decision by RCI is biased and unfair, raising concerns about the selection process. The lack of clarity in the notification is causing confusion and anxiety among students. It is worrying that psychology, a field that combines both science and social science, is being restricted to only science-focused career paths. If this decision is implemented, it could have negative consequences for many students across the country.

The hypocrisy of online wellness influencers

With the chaos that is unveiled with the recent issue of guidelines by the RCI, there is no observed discourse about the same from popular influencers who claim to be renowned practitioners of mental health. Amidst the confusion surrounding the recent RCI guidelines, it is disheartening to see popular influencers who claim expertise in mental health remain silent on the issue. This proves that these influencers profit from mental health advocacy without addressing important developments such as the RCI guidelines. Furthermore, the absence of any prominent brands or newspapers addressing this issue highlights the lack of impact that mental health awareness campaigns have had in truly educating the public on the importance and complexity of mental health.

Conclusion

Psychology students are very concerned about the new guidelines because of the tyranny and uncertainty caused by the RCI's lack of clear information. Students' confusion and anxiety have only increased as a result of this notification, which has raised more questions than it has answered. In a nation where psychology is acknowledged as both a social science and a science, it seems illogical to classify the field as exclusively a science. Many psychology students' futures could be in danger if this rule were to be put into effect nationwide.

Hridya Sharma