World Mental Health Day 2025: Addressing Mental Health Challenges and Policies in India

Context

Mental health has become a critical public policy issue in India, driven by rising suicide rates, post-pandemic stress, and increasing awareness around emotional well-being. Its urgency is underscored by World Mental Health Day 2025 (10 October), themed “Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies”.

Introduction

1. Definition (WHO): “Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn and work well, and contribute to their community.”
2. Mental health goes beyond absence of illness, it enables productivity, social participation, and resilience. It influences physical health, education, family stability, and national development.

Historical and Constitutional Context

1. Ancient India:
   1. Ayurveda and Yoga viewed health as harmony of body, mind, and spirit (Manas–Sharira–Atman).
   2. Emphasised lifestyle, mindfulness, and self–regulation – early forms of psychosocial therapy.
2. Global Evolution:
   1. Post-World War trauma studies, 2004 Tsunami, and COVID-19 highlighted the need for psychological first aid and community-based interventions.
3. Constitutional Backing:
   1. Article 21: Right to life includes right to mental health (reaffirmed in Sukdeb Saha vs State of Andhra Pradesh).
   2. Article 47 (DPSP): Duty of the State to improve public health.
   3. Judicial interpretations have made mental health an enforceable right.

Current Status in India

1. Prevalence and Statistics
   1. Nearly 230 million Indians live with mental disorders (like depression, anxiety etc.)
   2. Suicides (NCRB 2023): Around 7 lakh cases with family problems (~32%) as lead cause (in which around 73% are men). Suicide rate higher in urban India. Farmers continue to face distress ( ~6.3% of total suicides).
2. Treatment Gap and Human Resource Deficit
   1. Over four in five persons with severe illness receive no formal care due to stigma, the cost, and a severe shortage of professionals.
   2. Workforce: 0.75 psychiatrists per 1 lakh people, far below WHO minimum of 7 and ideal standards of 3. Also, only 0.12 psychologists per 1 lakh people are available.
   3. Lifetime Prevalence of mental disorders in India: 13.7%.
   4. Rehabilitation (vital for recovery and social integration) meets <15% of identified needs.
3. Inequities
   1. Urban-Rural Divide: Urban areas have better facilities; rural areas lack professionals and medicines.
   2. Vulnerable Groups:
      1. Children & adolescents: exposed to academic pressure and trauma.
      2. Women & homemakers: face domestic violence and isolation.

• Farmers: suffer economic stress and social neglect.

1. LGBTQ+ & disabled groups: face stigma and exclusion.

4. Behavioural Trends: Growing reliance on AI chatbots and online apps due to stigma and lack of safe human spaces. Reflects institutional failure, not technological trust.

Government Initiatives and Legal Framework

1. Legal Provisions
   1. Mental Healthcare Act, 2017: Ensures affordable, accessible mental health care and insurance parity. Rights-based approach; decriminalised suicide.
   2. National Suicide Prevention Strategy (2022): aims to reduce suicide mortality by 10% by 2030 through a multi-sectoral approach involving early identification, crisis helplines, responsible media reporting, and integration of mental health services across healthcare levels.
2. National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) and District Mental Health Programme (DMHP): Implemented in 767 districts, it offers decentralized mental health services (e.g., Tele-MANAS helplines), though uneven execution across states persists due to resource and manpower shortages.
3. Digital & School Initiatives
   1. Tele-MANAS: 24×7 helpline; over 20 lakh tele-counselling sessions conducted.
   2. Manodarpan: School-based psycho-social support covering 11 crore students.
   3. Ayushman Bharat Health & Wellness Centres: Integration of basic mental health screening and care.
4. Emergency & Community Response: India developed Psychological First Aid protocols after the 2004 Tsunami, deployed Institute of Mental Health (IMH) teams for trauma counselling during Cyclone Gaja (2018), and now follows WHO and IASC (UN Body for humanitarian assistance) guidelines to ensure psychosocial support is integrated into all disaster and humanitarian responses.

Mental Health and Society

1. Economic Impact: Untreated disorders may cost $1 trillion in GDP loss by 2030; employers lose ₹1.1 lakh crore annually due to absenteeism and burnout.
2. Social Impact: Mental illness fuels domestic violence, substance abuse, and crime, and erodes family and community ties.
3. Youth Crisis: Suicide is the leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds in India.
4. Education & Workplace: Rising stress in coaching hubs and corporates demands institutional counselling.
5. Media & Social Media: Can destigmatize mental health if used responsibly, but also spreads misinformation and toxic comparison culture.

Other Associated Dimensions

1. Ethical Dimension
   1. Mental health challenges test the ethical foundations of public service as it demands empathy, dignity, and respect for autonomy, especially in vulnerable populations.
   2. Ethical dilemmas arise in involuntary treatment, privacy, and informed consent, particularly in cases involving severe mental illness.
   3. Emotional intelligence is vital for administrators and public servants to handle sensitive situations with compassion and discretion.
2. Role of Civil Society & NGOs
   1. NGOs play a pivotal role in:
      1. Destigmatizing mental illness through campaigns and storytelling
      2. Providing helplines, tele-counselling, and community therapy

• Reaching rural and underserved areas where state capacity is limited

1. Their work complements government efforts and fosters grassroots mental health awareness.

3. Mental Health in Armed Forces & Police
   1. Personnel in armed forces and police face high stress, PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), and burnout, often leading to elevated suicide rates. Institutional support is lacking
   2. There’s a need for dedicated counselling units, peer support systems and mental health screening during recruitment and service.
   3. Mental resilience is key to operational effectiveness and humane law enforcement.
4. Mental Health in Judicial and Prison Systems
   1. A significant number of undertrials and convicts suffer from untreated mental illnesses.
   2. Challenges include: Lack of forensic psychiatric care, absence of rehabilitation and reintegration programs and overcrowded prisons with no mental health infrastructure
   3. Judicial reforms must integrate mental health assessments, diversion programs, and post-release support.
5. Climate Change and Mental Health
   1. Climate disasters trigger eco-anxiety, displacement trauma, and long-term psychological stress.
   2. Vulnerable groups (e.g., children, farmers, coastal communities) are disproportionately affected.
   3. Mental health must be integrated into disaster resilience planning, aligned with SDG 3 (Good Health) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Global Best Practices

1. Community-based care & task sharing: Nations such as the UK, Australia and Canada have scaled community mental-health teams and trained mid-level providers who deliver a substantial share of counselling and psychosocial interventions.
2. Robust financing and surveillance: Many high-income countries devote a higher share of health budgets to mental health (often 8%–10%) and maintain data systems to monitor service cascades and outcomes.
3. WHO Mental Health Action Plan and community-based psychosocial support models offer internationally agreed standards for scaling up care, particularly in emergencies.

Recognising Early Signs of Mental Health Issues

Mental health disorders are diverse and complex, but certain behavioural and emotional changes can signal concern:

1. Persistent anxiety or worry: Constant fear or tension affecting daily life.
2. Depression or prolonged unhappiness: Sadness, irritability, loss of interest, frequent tearfulness.
3. Emotional outbursts: Intense anger or distress beyond normal reactions.
4. Sleep disturbances: Sleeping too much or too little.
5. Weight or appetite changes: Sudden gain or loss indicating depression or eating disorders.
6. Social withdrawal: Reduced interaction with family, friends, or colleagues.
7. Neglect of self-care: Ignoring hygiene or daily routines.
8. Repetitive or abnormal behaviours: Hand-washing, checking, or other compulsions (OCD).
9. Self-harm or suicidal thoughts: Serious warning signs of underlying mental illness.

• Substance misuse: Problematic alcohol or drug use, often linked to mental health conditions.

Early recognition and timely support are crucial, if something seems off, talking to a professional or seeking help is essential.

Challenges and Gaps

Conclusion

Mental health is not a privilege but a human right essential for individual dignity and national progress. India’s challenge lies not in intent but in implementation – bridging the gap between policy and people. A compassionate, community-based, and rights-driven approach – integrating mental health into education, disaster response, and healthcare – is vital for building a resilient and humane society.