Mental Health Crisis in India

Syllabus: GS2/Health

Context

• The Economic Survey 2025-26 flagged the alarming rise of digital addiction and screen-related mental health problems, particularly among children and adolescents. 

About

• The Budget announced measures to strengthen mental health infrastructure. 
• Key highlights include the proposed establishment of a second National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) in north India and the upgrading of premier institutions in Ranchi and Tezpur to improve regional access.

Mental Health Burden on India

• India accounts for nearly one-third of the world’s suicides, depression and addiction cases.
  • Suicide is one of the leading causes of death among Indians aged 15-29.
• According to the WHO, between 2012 and 2030, the economic loss due to mental health conditions in India is estimated to be $1.03 trillion. 
• Around 70% to 92% of people with mental disorders do not receive proper treatment due to lack of awareness, stigma, and shortage of professionals. 
• India has 0.75 psychiatrists per 1,00,000 people, whereas the WHO recommends at least three per 1,00,000.
• While health spending may have increased since FY 2014-15, specific allocations for mental health services have historically been small, around 1% of the total health budget.

Challenges in Psychiatric Healthcare in India

• Poor Conditions in Psychiatric Hospitals: Often associated with cruelty, neglect, abuse, and substandard living conditions.
  • Reflects systemic neglect and inadequate accountability mechanisms.
• Scant Funding: Mental health receives extremely low budget allocation, about 1% of the total health budget, with most going to institutions rather than community-based care.
• Shortage of Trained Personnel:  India’s mental health workforce remains scarce; with only 0.75 psychiatrists and 0.12 psychologists for a 1,00,000 population, India falls short of World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines requiring at least three psychiatrists for 1,00,000 people.
• Disproportionate distribution: Few psychiatrists at district HQs, almost none in towns/villages.
  • This leads to an urban-rural mental healthcare divide.
• Accessibility & Economic Barriers: Medicines are unavailable in rural/interior areas.
  • Travel to seek care leads to loss of wages, unaffordable for poor families.
  • Patients with severe mental illness are usually non-earning members, worsening their financial strain.

Key Initiatives by the Government of India

• Mental Healthcare Act, 2017: The act decriminalised suicide attempts in India and also included WHO guidelines in the categorisation of mental illnesses.
  • The most significant provision in the act was “advance directives”, which allowed individuals with mental illnesses to decide the course of their treatment. 
  • It also restricted the use of electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) and banned its use on minors, finally introducing measures to tackle stigma in Indian society.

• Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2017: The Act acknowledges mental illness as a disability and seeks to enhance the Rights and Entitlements of the Disabled.
• In Sukdeb Saha vs State of Andhra Pradesh, the Supreme Court of India reinforced mental health as a fundamental right under Article 21, thereby legally binding the government to ensure accessible, affordable and quality mental health care. 
• Under Ayushman Bharat, mental health services have also been added to the package of services under comprehensive primary health care provided at these centres. 

• District Mental Health Programme (DMHP): Delivered in 767 districts, offering services like suicide prevention, stress management, and counseling.
• National Tele Mental Health Programme (NTMHP): Launched in 2022 to provide access to mental health services through 53 Tele MANAS Cells across 36 states/UTs.
• Expansion of Mental Health Capacity: Strengthening mental health services and educational resources in medical colleges and hospitals.
• Budget Allocation: Over the past five years, India’s mental health allocation has increased from ₹683 crore in 2020-21 to about ₹1,898 crore in 2024-25.

Reform Measures Needed

• Raise mental health spending to 5% of total health expenditure (WHO benchmark).
• Train and deploy mid-level mental health providers to strengthen rural access.
• Integrate mental health fully into primary care and universal insurance schemes.
• Establish monitoring and evaluation systems with district-level accountability.
• Expand anti-stigma and awareness campaigns, especially in schools and workplaces.
• Improve coordination among ministries to ensure a unified mental health strategy.

Conclusion

• India’s mental health ecosystem faces a triple deficit, in funding, workforce, and governance. 
• Bridging these gaps requires policy integration, decentralised service delivery, and social destigmatisation, aligning with global best practices and WHO guidelines.

Source: TH