Syllabus: GS2/ Health
In Context
- India’s mental health crisis cannot be solved by suicide helplines alone, as they only serve as emergency interventions while neglecting prevention, access, and systemic causes.
- A comprehensive approach that integrates healthcare, policy reform, community-based support, and stigma reduction is essential.
About
- A state of mental well-being where individuals can cope with normal life stressors, realize potential, work productively, and contribute to their community.
- India is home to nearly one-sixth of humanity, and also bears one of the largest mental health burdens.
- The National Mental Health Survey (2015–16) reported that almost 14% of the population required active mental health interventions, a figure worsened by the pandemic’s impact on anxiety, stress, and depression.
- Suicide helplines serve as an important support mechanism but represent only the crisis-management tip of a much deeper structural problem.
Current Situation in India
- High Suicide Rates: NCRB (2022) reported over 1.7 lakh suicides, the highest ever, with youth and women being highly vulnerable.
- Treatment Gap: Over 80% of those with mental health disorders remain untreated.
- Shortage of Professionals: Only 0.75 psychiatrists per 1 lakh people, far below WHO’s recommended 3.
- High Treatment Gap: 83% remain untreated; 20% households pushed into poverty due to treatment costs.
- Stigma & Awareness Issues: Social taboos and misinformation delay care-seeking.
Why Suicide Helplines Alone Are Insufficient?
- Reactive Layer: Address crises only at critical stages, without long-term prevention.
- Unequal Reach: Predominantly urban-centric, limited for rural areas with poor digital infrastructure.
- Quality Concerns: Many rely on volunteers without formal training in psychiatric care.
- Structural Blind Spots: Underlying causes like unemployment, exam pressure, gender violence, and substance abuse remain unaddressed.
Addressing Root Causes
- Economic: Generate jobs, create safety nets.
- Education: Shift away from exam-heavy pressures, focus on life-skills.
- Gender & Social Justice: Combat domestic violence, discrimination, and addiction.
- Awareness & De-stigmatisation: Scale-up campaigns like Manodarpan to all sections of society.
- Encourage responsible suicide reporting in media.
Global Best Practices
- UK: IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) programme offers free, evidence-based therapies via NHS.
- Australia: Youth-centered Headspace Centres integrate counselling, education, and job support.
- WHO – mhGAP (Mental Health Gap Action Programme): Focuses on integrating mental health services in general healthcare for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Multi-Pronged Approach Needed
- Strengthening Primary Mental Health Services:
- Integrate mental health into Ayushman Bharat Health & Wellness Centres (HWCs).
- Train physicians and ASHA workers for basic counselling.
- Expand the reach and efficiency of the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP).
- Policy & Institutional Measures:
- Implement National Mental Health Policy (2014)and Mental Healthcare Act (2017) effectively.
- Increase budget allocation for mental health (currently <1% of health budget).
- Ensure wider insurance coverage for psychiatric care under PM-JAY and private plans.
- Digital & Community-Based Care:
- Scale tele-psychiatry and AI-powered mental health apps.
- AIIMS Delhi launched an AI-based mental health and wellness program called “Never Alone”.
- Expand the role of NGOs, faith-based institutions, and peer-support groups.
- Promote counselling in schools and workplaces for early detection and support.
Conclusion
- While suicide helplines save lives during emergencies, they cannot resolve India’s escalating mental health crisis on their own. Lasting progress requires systemic reforms, preventive care, and community-rooted support systems.
- Achieving SDG 3.4—promoting mental health and reducing premature mortality depends on India’s ability to shift from reactive crisis models to holistic, preventive, and socially inclusive frameworks.
| Daily Mains Practice Question [Q] Suicide helplines address immediate distress, but India’s mental health crisis requires a deeper, systemic response. Discuss the challenges and suggest reforms for building a robust mental health ecosystem. |
Source: TH
