Psychoses and India

 

Every 7^th Indian is affected by mental disorders of varying severity in 2017. This number in India has almost doubled since 1990. And this burden of mental disorders in India is further estimated to increase by 23% of DALYs by the year 2025.  Depressive disorders (33·8%) and anxiety disorders (19·0%) are the highest contributors to DALYs due to mental disorders in India in 2017, followed by IDID (10·8%), schizophrenia (9·8%), bipolar disorder (6·9%), and conduct disorder (5·9%).

Mental disorders are contributing significantly to morbidity, disability, low productivity, poor quality of life, and socioeconomic losses.

Why are these numbers increasing in India?

The fastest growing economy comes with a cost

An increase in stress at the workplace and home, stressful life events, low mental health knowledge, attitudes and behaviors towards a mentally ill patient, history of physical and mental disorders, family history of mental disorders, and alcohol and substance use are the major culprits for these conditions.

What fuelling these conditions to become worst?

The high treatment gap for mental disorders, poor evidence-based treatment, and gender differentials in treatment. A shortage of mental health personnel in India exists, with two mental health workers and 0·3 psychiatrists per 100 000 population, which is much lower than the global average. Furthermore, health personnel's discriminatory attitudes toward persons with mental illnesses, as well as demand-side hurdles such as the low perceived need for care, a lack of awareness of mental diseases, and stigma associated with mental disorders, are issues that must be addressed.

The demand of the time

In India, an integrated strategy to detecting, treating, and managing patient requirements relating to mental and physical health is urgently needed since persons with mental problems die prematurely and have an excess of impairment. Importantly, the strong relationship of depressive disorders and schizophrenia with suicide fatalities, particularly among females, requires immediate attention in primary care for suicide prevention, because Indian women have twice the worldwide suicide death rate.

By decreasing stigma and discrimination, boosting awareness, and fostering inclusion, communities, and families may play a significant role in tackling mental health. School-based mental health initiatives can aid in the improvement of children's mental health. Yoga, an ancient Indian practise, is also thought to be useful for people suffering from depression.

India must spend extensively in mental health services in order to facilitate prevention, offer cheap treatment, care, and rehabilitation, and strive to integrate mental and physical health services.