Why in the News?

The Economic Survey flagged rising digital addiction and screen-related mental health disorders, particularly among children and adolescents. The Union Budget announced strengthening of mental health infrastructure, including establishment of a second campus of NIMHANS in North India and upgradation of premier institutions in Ranchi and Tezpur. Despite increased allocation from ₹683 crore (2020-21) to ₹1,898 crore (2024-25), mental health spending remains about 2% of total health outlay.

What is the Scale of India’s Mental Health Burden?

1. Suicide Burden: Accounts for nearly one-third of global suicides; depression and addiction contribute significantly to disease burden.
2. Economic Impact: Mental health conditions impose an estimated economic loss of $1.03 trillion between 2012 and 2030.
3. Treatment Gap: 70-92% of individuals with mental disorders lack proper treatment due to low awareness, stigma, and workforce shortages.
4. Human Resource Deficit: 0.75 psychiatrists per 1,00,000 population against the recommended 3 per 1,00,000.
5. Adolescent Vulnerability: Rising digital addiction and screen-related disorders flagged in the Economic Survey.

What Institutional Measures Have Been Announced?

1. National institute of mental health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) Expansion: Establishes second campus of National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences in North India.
2. Institutional Upgradation: Upgrades premier institutions in Ranchi and Tezpur to improve regional access.
3. Centre of Excellence Expansion: Sanctions over 20 Centres of Excellence to train postgraduate students in mental health.
4. Advanced Treatment Infrastructure: Establishes 47 PG departments in mental health.
5. Primary Healthcare Integration: Integrates mental health services under Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and Health and Wellness Centres.
6. Tele-MANAS Helpline: Provides 24×7 free mental health support via toll-free number 14416 and 1-800-891-4416; operational across 36 States/UTs and supported by 23 specialised mentoring institutes.

How Has Budgetary Allocation Evolved?

1. Allocation Increase: Raises allocation from ₹683 crore (2020-21) to ₹1,898 crore (2024-25).
2. Relative Share: Maintains mental health share at approximately 1% of total health budget and about 2% of national health outlay.
3. Historical Underfunding: Reflects long-standing low fiscal prioritisation despite rising burden.

Where Do Structural Gaps Persist?

1. Low Budgetary Share: Limits impact due to marginal share within overall health expenditure.
2. Underutilisation of Funds: Prevents full utilisation of allocated funds at national level.
3. Institution-Centric Focus: Directs significant funds towards tertiary institutions such as NIMHANS and Centres of Excellence.
4. Limited Community-Based Models: Weakens early intervention and preventive mental health services.
5. Capacity Constraints: Maintains shortage of trained professionals, with only 9% gap reduction in access to mental healthcare.

What Approach is Required Going Forward?

1. Affordable Access: Ensures continuity of care and long-term treatment.
2. Preventive Focus: Reduces years lived with disability through early detection.
3. Human Resource Strengthening: Expands trained workforce capacity.
4. Community Integration: Integrates mental well-being into school curricula and workplace policies.
5. Whole-of-Community Model: Mainstreams mental health beyond hospital-centric systems.

Conclusion

India’s mental health crisis reflects a structural mismatch between the scale of the burden and the scale of response. Rising suicides, a 70-92% treatment gap, severe psychiatrist shortages, and mental health spending hovering around 1-2% of the health budget indicate systemic under-prioritisation despite recent institutional expansion.

Strengthening tertiary institutions alone cannot address a crisis rooted in access, stigma, affordability, and preventive failure. A shift towards community-based care, workforce expansion, full utilisation of allocated funds, and integration of mental well-being into schools and workplaces is essential to convert policy intent into measurable public health outcomes.

PYQ Relevance

[UPSC 2023] Explain why suicide among young women is increasing in Indian Society. 

Linkage: UPSC frequently frames GS-I Society questions around emerging social vulnerabilities reflected in current data trends. The article highlights India accounting for nearly one-third of global suicides and flags rising mental health distress, making youth and gender-specific suicide patterns directly relevant to contemporary exam themes.

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