Suicide rates in India are on the rise, with diverse demographics affected. A recent report from the Parliamentary Standing Committee highlights the pressing issues in mental healthcare. The nation faces a shortage of mental health professionals, inadequate infrastructure, and persistent stigma. COVID-19 has exacerbated the situation. Urgent measures are required, including increased awareness, comprehensive strategies, and better collaboration between authorities and insurance providers to ensure adequate mental health support for all.
Suicide, defined as the deliberate act of self-harm to end one’s life, has been a prominent issue in India, garnering significant attention. This tragic and preventable form of death affects individuals from various backgrounds and age groups, encompassing students, industrialists, farmers, and others who succumb to the immense mental anguish they face. Depression, stemming from a multitude of factors such as mounting financial burdens, mental disorders, chronic pain, and societal pressures, can push individuals to this extreme state of hopelessness.
The National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) encapsulated the gravity of each suicide, recognizing it as a personal tragedy that prematurely claims a life and reverberates through society. The most recent NCRB report disclosed a disheartening statistic: over 100,000 people commit suicide in India every year, with a 7.2 percent increase observed in 2021 compared to the previous year.
This context sets the stage for the recent report from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health & Family Welfare, submitted on August 4, 2023. Titled “Mental Health Care and Its Management in Contemporary Times,” this report couldn’t have arrived at a more opportune moment, given the escalating concerns related to mental health.
Mental health is defined as a state of well-being that enables individuals to cope with life’s challenges. The Committee’s report encompasses a wide range of issues, including the status of mental health infrastructure, regulatory structures, and the root causes behind the growing prevalence of mental health problems. The last mental health survey, conducted by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare in 2015-16, estimated India’s mental morbidity rate for adults aged 18 and above at 10.6 percent.
Unfortunately, the Committee observed minimal progress since the 2015-16 survey, with persistent issues such as the treatment gap, which denotes the disparity between the need for mental health treatment and its accessibility, exacerbated by a shortage of mental health professionals, social stigma, and inadequate infrastructure.
The Committee also acknowledged the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psychosocial well-being of various demographic groups and recommended a new survey to promptly assess and address the current situation. The report highlighted a concerning prevalence of mental health issues among children and adolescents, particularly in urban areas, where the lack of awareness and access to essential mental health services compounds the problem. For instance, educational hubs like Kota exemplify the high-pressure environments that adolescents endure without adequate counseling resources.
The Committee underscored the increasing incidence of suicides in the country and the urgent need to identify and support vulnerable individuals. Notably, the report pointed out the scarcity of mental health professionals, estimating only 0.75 psychiatrists per 100,000 people, far below the ideal ratio of three psychiatrists per 100,000 people, necessitating an additional 27,000 psychiatrists. The report also sheds light on the deficiency of mental health services at the primary and secondary levels.
Despite the existence of the Mental Healthcare Act 2017, which incorporates many recommendations from the National Mental Health Policy, its implementation has been inconsistent. The Committee noted the absence of Mental Health Review Boards in several states and the inconspicuous presence of the Central Mental Health Authority in many regions.
The Committee appreciated the steps taken by the Insurance Regulatory Development Authority of India (IRDA), which made it mandatory for insurance companies to cover mental illnesses. However, it stressed the need for close collaboration between the Ministry and IRDA to ensure that insurance providers fulfill this mandate, directing the collection of relevant data from these providers.
Stigma remains a significant barrier to addressing mental health issues. Early identification of individuals experiencing depression is crucial, and the role of family and friends in this process is invaluable. Public figures openly acknowledging their struggles with severe depression, despite their privileges, can help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.
Given the increasingly high-stress nature of modern life, mental health problems are expected to rise. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India bears a substantial burden of mental health issues, with an age-adjusted suicide rate of 21.1 per 100,000 population and an estimated economic loss of USD 1.03 trillion due to mental health conditions.
A comprehensive strategy for prevention, treatment, and recovery through a whole-of-government approach, as advocated by WHO, is imperative. Failing to address mental health problems can lead physically healthy individuals to become burdens on society. With proper care, these individuals can become productive members of society. The government should prioritize implementing the recommendations of the Standing Committee to tackle this critical issue effectively.
