Sun Feb 08 03:00:18 UTC 2026: # India Grapples with Mental Health Emergency Despite Budget Boost

The Story: A significant portion of India’s population suffering from mental health disorders, estimated between 70% and 92%, lacks access to adequate treatment. This is attributed to a combination of factors including lack of awareness, social stigma, and a severe shortage of mental health professionals. While the recent Economic Survey highlighted the alarming rise in digital addiction and screen-related mental health issues, particularly among the youth, the 2026 Union Budget has proposed measures to strengthen mental health infrastructure, including establishing a second NIMHANS and upgrading existing institutions.

Despite these initiatives and increased allocations for mental health services, experts argue that funding remains insufficient and disproportionately focused on tertiary institutions, hindering the development of community-based, early-intervention programs. Experts also report that the funds allocated are under-utilized. The result is a considerable gap in access to affordable, continuous, and timely mental health care, contributing to preventable loss of life and years lived with disability.

Key Points:

  • A substantial percentage of Indians with mental disorders (70-92%) do not receive proper treatment.
  • India accounts for approximately one-third of the world’s suicides, depression, and addiction cases.
  • The economic loss due to mental health conditions in India is estimated at $1.03 trillion between 2012 and 2030.
  • India has 0.75 psychiatrists per 100,000 people, significantly lower than the WHO’s recommendation of at least 3 per 100,000.
  • The 2026 Union Budget includes provisions to strengthen mental health infrastructure, including a new NIMHANS and upgrading existing institutions.
  • Mental health allocation has increased from ₹683 crore in 2020-21 to about ₹1,898 crore in 2024-25, but still constitutes less than 2% of the total health budget and national GDP.
  • Tele MANAS, a 24×7 mental health support helpline, was launched on October 10, 2022, featuring 53 operational cells across 36 States/UTs.

Key Takeaways:

  • Despite increased awareness and budgetary allocations, India’s mental health crisis remains severe due to a multifaceted problem involving access, stigma, and workforce shortages.
  • Current strategies are heavily focused on specialist-led, tertiary care, neglecting the critical need for community-based, early-intervention programs.
  • Underutilization of allocated funds and the continued focus on tertiary institutions hinder the mainstreaming of mental healthcare.
  • Integrating mental well-being into school curricula and strengthening workplace policies are important steps, but require significant investment and sustained effort to be effective.
  • The Indian Government has started several initiatives (Tele MANAS, Ayushman Bharat HWCs). They are not sufficient to address the scale of the problem.

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