Mental Illness in India

Stats IQ: Mental Illness in India

According to recent study, majority of people in low- and middle-income countries with mental illness do not receive healthcare, leading to chronicity, suffering and increased costs of care.

Table of Contents

Context: According to recent study, majority of people in low- and middle-income countries with mental illness do not receive healthcare, leading to chronicity, suffering and increased costs of care.

Highlight of Study

In India, mental illness constitutes one-sixth of all health-related disorders.
Spending: As many as 20 per cent of Indian households become poor as a result of Out Of Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) for treatment of mental illnesses.
- Around 18.1 per cent of a household’s monthly consumption expenditure was spent on healthcare due to mental illness of a member.
State-wise Prevalence: States and Union territories like Daman and Diu (19.4 per cent), Himachal Pradesh (18.0 per cent), Sikkim (17.4 per cent), Lakshadweep (14.6 per cent), Maharashtra (13.7 per cent), Telangana (13.3 per cent), Punjab (12.7 per cent) and Uttarakhand (12.5 per cent) reported higher healthcare burden due to mental illness than the national average for India (10.4 per cent).
Geriatric at Need: Those aged 60 years and above reported the highest OOPE on mental illness in the last 365 days across all age groups.

Steps Taken by Indian Government

The National Mental Health Policy 2014 and the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017	They have proposed several steps to combat mental illnesses through promoting awareness, ending the stigma associated and provision of good quality and affordable care for mental illnesses in the country.
National Mental Health Programme (NMHP)	To address burden of mental diseases and the lack of skilled experts in the field of mental health. To ensure the availability and accessibility of minimum mental healthcare for all in the foreseeable future, particularly to the most vulnerable and underprivileged sections of the population. District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) component of the NMHP has been sanctioned for implementation in 716 districts for which support is provided to States/UTs through the National Health Mission. Under District Mental Health Programme, fund of Rs. 159.75 Crore have been approved for States/UTs under National Health Mission for the year 2022-23.
Ayushman Bharat – HWC Scheme	Mental health services have been added in the package of services under Comprehensive Primary Health Care under Ayushman Bharat – HWC Scheme.
Manodarpan Initiative	An initiative under Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan aims to provide psycho-social support to students for their mental health and well-being.
National Tele Mental Health Programme, 2022	To further improve access to quality mental health counselling and care services in the country.