The Economic Survey 2023-24 presented on Monday highlights a worrying rise in mental health problems among Indians, and advocates a comprehensive, community-driven approach to tackle this growing problem.
Emphasising the important link of mental health with health and economic outcomes, the survey highlighted that mental health problems can have a greater impact on productivity in society than physical health ailments.
According to data from the National Mental Health Survey (NMHS) 2015-16, 10.6 per cent adults in India suffer from mental disorders, with a significant treatment gap ranging from 70 to 92 per cent for various disorders. Urban metro areas recorded a higher prevalence of mental morbidity at 13.5 per cent compared to rural areas (6.9 per cent) and urban non-metro areas (4.3 per cent).
Economic Survey 2024 Live Updates
The survey also referred to ongoing research which shows that individuals in the age group of 25-44 years are most affected by mental illnesses. Highlighting the findings of NCERT’s Mental Health and Well-being Survey of School Students, it pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated poor mental health among adolescents, with a significant percentage reporting feelings of anxiety, overwhelming emotions and mood fluctuations associated with academic pressure.
“Mental health problems not only reduce an individual’s quality of life but also impede overall productivity through absenteeism, reduced efficiency, disability and increased health care costs,” the survey said.
While acknowledging India’s positive progress in mental health policy development, the survey emphasised the importance of effective implementation to maximise impact. It also identified existing gaps in existing programmes, particularly relating to awareness and stigma, which hinder the effectiveness of interventions.
The document calls for a transformative approach to mental health, advocating a bottom-up strategy that broadly involves communities. It emphasises the need to normalise conversations about mental health and tackle stigma by promoting acceptance and treatment-seeking behaviour similar to physical illnesses.
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Published: July 22, 2024, 02:12 PM IST
