Mental health refers to our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is essential at every stage of life, from childhood adolescence to adulthood. Throughout our lives, mental health problems could affect our cognition, mood, and behavior. Many factors contribute to mental health problems; these include biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry, life experiences, such as trauma or abuse, and even family history of mental health problems.
In 2017, Indian President Ram Nath Kovind asserted that India was “facing a possible mental health epidemic”. A study in the same year revealed that 14% of India’s population suffered from mental health ailments, including 45.7 million suffering from depressive disorders and 49 million from anxiety disorders.
The Covid-19 pandemic has furthered this mental health crisis, with reports globally suggesting that the virus and its following lockdowns had a significant impact on the entire world’s population – particularly younger individuals.
In India, having a mental health disorder is perceived with a sense of judgment, and there is a heavy stigma associated with those diagnosed with mental health issues. Mental illnesses are also considered a consequence of a lack of self-discipline and willpower. The stigma associated with mental health, lack of access, affordability, and awareness leads to significant gaps in treatment.
The expenditure incurred on the treatment of mental disorders often drive families to economic hardship. This burden was more pronounced in the case of middle-aged individuals – who were also most affected by mental illnesses – as it affects their productivity, thereby amplifying the burden not just on the individuals and their families but also on the economy. The World Health Organization estimates the economic loss to India on account of mental health disorders to be US$ 1.03 trillion. Mental health disorders unreasonably affect households with lower income, less education, and lower employment. These vulnerable groups are faced with financial limitations due to their socioeconomic conditions, made worse by the limited resources available for treatment.
Many treatments can be conducted to ensure the safety of your mental health. Psychotherapy, medication, and support groups are just some of how we can approach these mental disorders, but we must first and foremost obliterate the associated stigma with mental health.
