Harpham,1997; Galea et al.,2006). The NMHS report also highlights a higher prevalence rate of mental health problems in urban populations (13 per cent) due to occupational stress, social isolation, and changing family structure compared to the rural population(around 6 per cent). Notwithstanding the high disease burden, India faces a severe treatment gap also exceeding 80per cent, indicating that a majority of individuals requiring mental health care do not receive timely or adequate treatment. Empirical research suggests that shortages of trained mental health professionals, weak integration with primary healthcare, stigma, and low mental health literacy significantly restrict access to care, particularly in rural and marginalised communities. In response to these challenges, the Government of India has initiated a new National Mental Health Survey after a gap of nearly nine years, aimed at generating updated ,state-wise evidence to guide policy planning and resource allocation.
India’s mental health policy architecture is anchored in the National Mental Health Policy,2014, which adopts a rights-based, participatory, and life-course approach. The policy emphasises universal access, stigma reduction, service decentralisation, and the integration of mental healthcare into primary health systems. A landmark legislative development was the enactment of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, which legally guarantees the right to mental healthcare and aligns the legal framework with international human rights norms. Research studies highlight that the Act represents a paradigm shift from custodial care to rights-based and patient-centred mental healthcare (Duffy & Kelly, 2019). Along with this, the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) continues to strengthen district-level mental healthcare delivery. More recently, the National Tele-Mental Health Programme (Tele-MANAS) has expanded service reach through24/7tele-counselling services in multiple Indian languages, addressing access barriers in underserved regions (Ministry of Health and Family Affairs, 2025).
Despite policy progress, mental health remains under-financed, with public spending accounting for 1-1.3per cent of the total health budget (Economic Survey 2024-25). Several research studies highlight the urgent need for increased investment, expansion of themental health workforce, school- and workplace-based interventions, andcommunity-led care models (Karan et al., 2021; WHO, 2025). Mental health is integral to India’s social cohesion, economic productivity, and human development. While policy frameworks demonstrate increasing commitment, translating them into effective outcomes requires sustained political will, adequate financing, evidence-based planning, and community engagement. Strengthening mental health systems is essential for building a resilient, inclusive, and equitable India.
Parmeet Kaur, ProgrammeCoordinator, IRDF