According to a recent national poll, more Indians are experiencing various mental health problems. Since there are few psychiatrists available, many individuals suffer alone.
Nearly 150 million Indians require mental health care services, yet fewer than 30 million of them seek treatment, according to the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) of India’s most recent survey. “Mental health or drug use disorders are diagnosable in more than 10% of the population. Treatment for mental diseases is not a luxury, but rather a need, since mental health is of the utmost importance.
The National Mental Health Survey examined topics including mental morbidity, which is the worsening of physical and mental health as a result of a psychiatric disorder. Neurosis and stress-related illnesses were also discussed. The survey’s alarming finding was that 1% of the sample size had a significant risk of suicide.
The Lancet medical journal conducted a mental health study in India in 2017 and found that between 1990 and 2017, the number of diagnoses for psychological illnesses has quadrupled.
Due to a lack of knowledge and awareness of psychological diseases in India, mental health disorders frequently go undiagnosed and untreated.
“In India, a lot of youngsters and teenagers struggle with mental health issues. However, social stigmas and unfavourable perceptions of mental health impede young people from getting the help they require. It is time to end the taboo around mental illness and health “UNICEF India’s deputy representative, Arjan de Wagt, said DW.
Additionally, there aren’t enough mental health specialists to care for those who do seek assistance. Rural areas of India are particularly affected by this.
In India, there are just 0.75 psychiatrists for every 100,000 patients, according to the Indian Journal of Psychiatry. The journal suggested that a better ratio would be 3 to 100,000.
However, even this figure is low when compared to nations like Germany, where as of 2015, the World Health Organization reported that there were almost 13 psychiatrists for every 100,000 patients (WHO).
