Global Mental Health Crisis: Insights from 33 Years of Clinical Experience

Introduction:

Over the past 33 years of practice as a psychologist, I have witnessed significant change in the
perception regarding mental health conditions. Yet this remains one of the most underestimated
and least discussed crises on this earth. The statistics are bleak, but the individuals involved are real
people-silently suffering. As a mental health provider in India, I see the unique barriers based on
culture, society, and structure that prevent people from seeking help. These barriers remain in place,
and it is important to understand them in order to move toward the healthier society needed.

Global Prevalence of Mental Illness:

In the global arena, mental health disorders affect **1 in 8 people**. As projected by the **World
Health Organization (WHO)**, nearly **970 million** people suffer from mental health disorders
with depression and anxiety in first place. With the passage of time, their compounded burden
arising from different causes of societal and economic pressure, lifestyle changes, and the influence
of the global crisis have come to the forefront.

It is not merely a health issue; it’s an economic one, too. According to the WHO, losses to the global
economy amount to about **$1 trillion** yearly, related to the loss in productivity from mental
health conditions.

Mental Health in India: The Numbers Do Matter

In India, the problem is even more pronounced. The **National Mental Health Survey of India**
reported almost **150 million** who stand in need of mental health care services. Yet, only about
less than **30%** of these individuals reach out for service. Mental health issues such as
depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and substance use disorders are found to prevail across all
strata-from urban professionals to rural laborers.

Statistics show:
• Depression affects about **45 million** in the country.
• Anxiety disorders affect about **38 million**
Suicide Rate: India has one of the highest suicide rates in the world, with one person dying by suicide
every four minutes.

Not only is it the individual but the economy of the country too that suffers from untreated mental health conditions. Mental illness results in massive loss in terms of productivity and human hours.According to one latest research, more than **20 million human hours are lost each year** in India due to mental health-related absenteeism, presenteeism where people keep working while under the grip of a mental illness, and impaired work performance. This is indeed a huge drag on economic growth in industries that are based on intellectual capital.