The National Mental Health Survey by NIMHANS found that 10.6 per cent of adults in India suffer from mental disorders. The lifetime prevalence of mental disorders in India is 13.7 per cent
Mental health refers to an individual’s emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing. It influences how people think, feel, and behave in daily life. It also affects decision-making, stress management, and relationships.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), mental health is a state of mental wellbeing that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realise their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.
Poor mental health impacts in several ways. These include:
Impact on productivity: Poor mental health leads to lower workplace performance, increased absenteeism, and reduced efficiency.
Social wellbeing: It affects interpersonal relationships, self-confidence, and social interactions.
Economic impact: Mental disorders contribute significantly to global burden of disease, and untreated conditions can lead to high economic costs.
Scenario in India
India contributes to 18 per cent of the global population. WHO estimates that the burden of mental health problems in India is 2,443 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) per 10,000 population; the age-adjusted suicide rate per 100,000 population is 21.1. The economic loss due to mental health conditions, between 2012 and 2030, is estimated to be $1.03 trillion.
The National Mental Health Survey (NMHS) 2015-16 by NIMHANS found that 10.6 per cent of adults in India suffer from mental disorders. The lifetime prevalence of mental disorders in India is 13.7 per cent.
National studies reveal that 15 per cent of India’s adult population experiences mental health issues requiring intervention. Urban areas have a higher prevalence (13.5 pc) compared to rural (6.9 pc).
Seventy to 92 per cent of people with mental disorders do not receive proper treatment due to lack of awareness, stigma, and shortage of professionals. According to the Indian Journal of Psychiatry, the country has 0.75 psychiatrists per 100,000 people, whereas WHO recommends at least 3 per 100,000.
Survey insights
Mental wellbeing is the ability to navigate life’s challenges and function productively. Recognising its importance, the Economic Survey 2024-25 highlighted that mental wellbeing encompasses all our mental-emotional, social, cognitive, and physical capabilities. This can also be construed as the mind’s composite health.
It emphasised a whole of community approach to tackling mental health problems and stated that it is about time to find viable, impactful preventive strategies and interventions. India’s demographic dividend is riding on skills, education, physical health and, above all, mental health of its youth. The Survey suggested:
Enhancing education: Early intervention strategies to address anxiety, stress, and behavioural issues in students.
Improving policies: Addressing job stress, long working hours, and burnout.
Digital services: Strengthening Tele MANAS and integrating AI-based mental health solutions. (To be continued…)