Mind matters: A perspective on the mental health landscape in India

Background

Mental health (MH) forms an integral constituent of an individual’s overall health, substantially affecting all areas of life. Globally, mental disorders have been one of the leading causes of disease burden in terms of years lived with disability (YLDs). Developing countries, such as India, are at a higher risk as health care systems are already stressed.

Currently, over 14 percent of the country’s population is estimated to be suffering from a mental disorder. However, deep-rooted inequities continue to exist across the ecosystem. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has amplified key inequities within the mental health ecosystem and has also shone a spotlight on the significance of mental health. Addressing key inequities in the mental health ecosystem would require activating stakeholders across the ecosystem, utilising innovative solutions, and driving sustained funding.

The report highlights the deep-rooted systemic and stakeholder-specific challenges that exist across the mental health ecosystem in India