Increase in Mental Health Issues among Indians
Economic Survey 2023-24 highlighted an increase in Mental Health Issues among Indians.
what is the mental health?
Mental health is a state of mental well-being enabling people to cope with stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn and work well, and contribute to their community.
Prevalence of Mental Health Issues among Indians
- According to survey, 10.6% of adults in India suffer from mental disorders, while treatment gap for mental disorders ranged between 70 to 92% for different disorders. (National Mental Health Survey 2015-16).
- Higher rates of mental health issues in urban areas as compared to rural areas and urban non-metro regions.
- In 2019, one in every eight people (or 970 million people globally) were living with a mental disorder. (WHO)
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Factors affecting Mental Health Issues among Indians
- Poverty via stressful living conditions, financial instability, and lack of employment opportunities.
- Rise in nuclear family, leads to psychological issues in elders due to lack of support system.
Impact
- Reduced concentration among children’s (37%), due to overuse of smartphone, internet. (NCPCR)
- Reduce productivity in academics due to anxiety, mood swings etc.
- Rising healthcare costs places an increased burden on poor households.
Suggestions to tackle Mental Health Issues
- Increase number of psychiatrists, from 0.75 psychiatrists per lakh population in 2021 to 3 per lakh population (WHO norm).
- Advocating for a bottom-up strategy engaging communities comprehensively.
Initiatives taken to promote Mental HealthIndia
Global
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