Only 1 in 5 mentally ill Indians gets help

WORRYING NUMBERS

MUMBAI: Only one in five Indians suffering from mental health issues gets treatment.

This accounts for just 30 million of the nearly 150 million who have mental health problems, revealed the National Mental Health Survey, by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore.

The team attributes the high numbers to a fast-paced lifestyle, stress, complexities of living, breakdown of support systems and challenges of economic instability.

Also, one in 20 people suffers 30 million of the nearly 150 million who have mental health problems in India are being treated

One in 10 Indians suffers from depression, anxiety disorders and substance abuse

Depression is higher among women between the age group of 40 and 49 years

Nearly 15% of Indian adults above the age of 18 are in need of active intervention

from depression and one in 40 has dealt with it in the past.

The survey covering 39,000 individuals also points out that common mental disorders — depression, anxiety disorders and

substance abuse — afflicts one in 10 Indians.

The 30-month survey conducted in 12 states and supported by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare states that depression is higher among women between the age group of 40 and 49 years and among those living in urban areas.

“The mental health system assessments indicate not just a lack of public health strategy, but also several other underperforming components. A dedicated policy and the new bill are the right steps to identify the force multiplier for mental health,” Dr BN Gangadharan, director and professor of psychiatry, NIMHANS, said in the report.

The survey reveals that nearly 15% of Indian adults above the age of 18 are in need of active intervention.