Advocacy for Eliminating Social Taboos Surrounding Mental Health Problems - Outlook Magazine's Independence Day Edition
The Government of India has taken significant strides in addressing mental health issues, with the formulation of the first Mental Health policy in 2014 and the decriminalisation of attempted suicide in 2017 through the Mental Healthcare Act (MHCA). However, the current state of mental health care access and services in India, particularly in rural areas and marginalized groups, is improving but still faces significant challenges compared to global standards.
The National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) and the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP), operational in 767 districts, provide outpatient care, psychological therapy, medication, and inpatient facilities at district levels. Efforts are being made to increase the mental health workforce by expanding postgraduate psychiatry seats, clinical psychology certifications, and online training for general healthcare workers to reach underserved rural areas. The government has also launched tele-mental health services like Tele MANAS, which has handled millions of calls and expanded access in 36 states and union territories.
Despite these advancements, challenges remain. Limited mental health infrastructure in rural areas means many people still face long travel distances and lack of transportation to reach services. The shortage of skilled mental health professionals is still acute in many rural and marginalized communities. Social stigma is a major barrier deterring people from seeking help, especially in rural and less educated populations. Increasing awareness campaigns have started to reduce stigma but gaps remain.
Many in rural areas and marginalized groups lack health insurance coverage for mental health, face reimbursement challenges for providers, and often cannot afford private care. By comparison to other parts of the world, especially developed countries, India's rural mental health services lag due to infrastructure, workforce, and systemic issues.
However, India is notable for recent rapid growth in digital mental health services, public awareness, and government policy efforts which are accelerating progress. Vineeta Mokkil discusses how women often face barriers when trying to access mental health care services, and argues that mental health should be reframed as a human right. Pragya Singh explores the connection between mental health policies and India's socio-economic structure, and finds that community care is the missing link between those with mental health disorders and general society.
Avantika Mehta examines the psychological impact of the caste system on scheduled caste and scheduled tribe communities, and finds that the mental health care infrastructure for these communities is nearly non-existent. Toufiq Rashid writes about the toll that conflict journalism takes on reporters, particularly when the conflict zone happens to be their home country.
The stories in this article are presented as truth, and are intended to serve as the foundation for meaningful social change. The article aims to spark conversations about mental health experiences in all their diversity, and to encourage readers to understand that supporting mental health means recognizing it as inseparable from human dignity, social justice, and authentic freedom.
[1] National Mental Health Survey (NMHS) 2015-16 showed that 10% of Indians have a mental disorder, but only 15% receive any treatment. In Uttar Pradesh, efforts are being made under the District Mental Health Programme to help people with mental illnesses, but a large section of disadvantaged society is still not receiving help.
[2] Approximately one third of survey subjects in India do not believe in the existence of psychological disorders. One in five young people in India hold discriminatory views towards individuals with mental health disorders. Despite legislative mandates, state-level execution of mental health policies is patchy. Only a handful of Mental Health Review Boards exist, as statutorily prescribed under the MHCA 2017. Treatment gaps range from 90% for common disorders to nearly 70% for severe disorders.
[3] The article examines the community and care provided to those with mental health disorders in India, including mental health facilities in Ranchi and Lucknow.
[4] The MHCA was decriminalised attempted suicide and made a person's right to mental healthcare a law in 2017.
[5] The Government of India formulated its first Mental Health policy in 2014. India has only 0.3 psychiatrists, 0.12 nurses, and 0.07 psychologists per 100,000 people, among the lowest on the World Health Organisation's global listings. The DMHP became operational in 90% of India in June 2018, but the quality and continuity of services are uneven.
Sports can contribute significantly to the overall health and wellness of individuals, but it's crucial to prioritize mental health as well in sports programs to ensure a holistic approach to well-being. Moreover, many mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, can manifest due to societal pressures and stigma, which are also prevalent in the context of sports and competition.
Health-and-wellness programs should therefore focus on mental health alongside physical fitness, providing resources and support for athletes to manage stress, build resilience, and address any mental health concerns they may have, especially those from marginalized groups or rural areas.
