Why in news?

The Economic Survey recently flagged a worrying rise in digital addiction and screen-related mental health issues, especially among children and adolescents. Responding to these concerns, the February 1 Union Budget announced steps to strengthen India’s mental health infrastructure.

Key measures include the proposal to set up a second National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) in north India, alongside plans to upgrade premier mental health institutions in Ranchi and Tezpur.

These steps aim to improve regional access, reduce pressure on existing facilities, and expand specialised mental healthcare services across the country.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• India’s Mental Health Burden: Scale and Severity
• Mental Health Infrastructure in India: Expanding Access Beyond Hospitals
• Where Does India Fall Short on Mental Health Funding
• The Way Ahead: Shifting to Preventive and Community-Based Mental Healthcare

India’s Mental Health Burden: Scale and Severity

• Experts warn that India is facing a serious mental health crisis.
• The country accounts for nearly one-third of global cases of suicide, depression, and addiction, making mental health a major public health challenge.
• High Suicide Burden Among Youth
  • Data from the National Crime Records Bureau and the Sample Registration System under the Ministry of Home Affairs show that:
    • Suicide is among the leading causes of death for Indians aged 15–29 years.
    • Young people are particularly vulnerable due to academic pressure, unemployment, social stress, and digital addiction
• Economic Cost of Mental Illness
  • According to the World Health Organization (WHO):
    • India is expected to lose $1.03 trillion between 2012 and 2030 due to mental health conditions.
    • Losses stem from reduced productivity, healthcare costs, and premature mortality.
• Large Treatment Gap
• A major concern is the treatment gap: 70%–92% of people with mental disorders do not receive proper care.
• Key reasons include: Lack of awareness; Social stigma; Severe shortage of trained mental health professionals.
• Shortage of Mental Health Professionals
  • As per the Indian Journal of Psychiatry:
    • India has 0.75 psychiatrists per 1,00,000 people
    • The WHO recommends at least 3 psychiatrists per 1,00,000
  • This gap severely limits access to diagnosis, counselling, and treatment.
• Low Budgetary Priority
  • Although overall health spending has increased since FY2014–15, mental health has received: Only about 1% of the total health budget.
  • Limited funding has constrained infrastructure, manpower, and outreach services

Mental Health Infrastructure in India: Expanding Access Beyond Hospitals

• To meet the rising demand for mental health services, the government has integrated mental healthcare into primary healthcare under Ayushman Bharat.
• Mental health services are now part of the Comprehensive Primary Health Care package delivered through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (Health and Wellness Centres).
• Over 1.73 lakh sub-health centres and primary health centres have been upgraded into Ayushman Arogya Mandirs
• These centres provide basic mental health screening, counselling, and referrals, reducing dependence on specialised hospitals
• Strengthening Specialist Capacity
  • To address the shortage of trained professionals, the government has expanded education and training infrastructure:
    • Over 20 Centres of Excellence sanctioned for postgraduate training in mental health
    • 47 postgraduate departments in mental health established nationwide
  • These initiatives aim to increase the availability of psychiatrists, psychologists, and mental health specialists, especially in underserved regions.
• Tele-Mental Health Support: Tele MANAS
  • India has complemented physical infrastructure with digital outreach through Tele MANAS (Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States):
    • 24×7 free mental health support via helplines 14416 or 1-800-891-4416
    • Launched on October 10, 2022
    • 53 operational cells across 36 States and Union Territories
    • Backed by 23 specialised mentoring institutes
  • Tele MANAS bridges access gaps, especially for people in remote areas or those hesitant to seek in-person care.

Where Does India Fall Short on Mental Health Funding?

• India’s mental health budget has increased from ₹683 crore in 2020–21 to about ₹1,898 crore in 2024–25.
• However, experts argue that this rise masks a deeper problem of chronic underinvestment.
• The allocation remains below 2% of the total health budget, which itself is only around 2% of India’s GDP—far short of what the scale of the mental health burden demands.
• Mismatch Between Spending and Need
  • The underinvestment becomes stark when weighed against:
    • India’s high suicide and depression burden
    • Massive treatment gaps
    • Economic losses due to untreated mental illness
  • Despite these realities, mental health continues to receive low fiscal priority.
• Overemphasis on Tertiary Institutions
  • A major concern is where the money goes. A significant portion of allocations continues to be directed toward tertiary institutions such as NIMHANS and newly established centres of excellence.
  • While important, experts argue that:
    • Tertiary institutions alone cannot mainstream mental healthcare in a country of India’s size
    • They serve a limited population and are often concentrated in urban areas
  • They stress the need for targeted funding for grassroots mental health programmes, including:
    • Community-based services
    • Early intervention models
    • Preventive and promotive mental healthcare
  • Such approaches are more effective in reaching underserved populations and reducing long-term disease burden.
• Utilisation Gap Compounds the Problem
  • Beyond low allocations, there is also a utilisation issue:
    • Funds earmarked for mental health are not fully utilised at the national level
    • Administrative bottlenecks and lack of local capacity hinder effective spending
    • Health experts argue that better utilisation requires decentralised planning and community-led models, not just increased funding.

The Way Ahead: Shifting to Preventive and Community-Based Mental Healthcare

• India urgently needs affordable access, continuity of care, and timely treatment to prevent avoidable deaths and disability from mental illness.
• Experts highlight an over-reliance on specialist-led, tertiary care, severe shortages of trained professionals, and a 95% access gap.
• The government is pivoting to a whole-of-community approach, integrating mental well-being into schools and strengthening workplace policies to address stress and burnout—signalling a shift from curative to preventive, community-based care.