Chandraet al., 2018)alongwith the lingering psychosocial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic havesignificantly intensified mental health vulnerabilities (Bhagat, 2020).Although mental health has gained greater policy visibility in recent years, importantgaps remain between policy intent and effective service delivery.

National levelevidence, such as National Mental Health Survey (NMHS) conducted by NIMHANS in2015-16, further highlights the scale of mental health challenges in India. Thesurvey report estimated that around 13.7 per cent of the population of countryexperiences common mental health disorder such as anxiety, depression, stressrelated conditions, substances use disorders during their life time, withnearly 15 per cent of adults requiring active mental health intervention. A reportpublished by the WHO in 2010 highlighted that mental health issues are moreprevalent in low- and middle-income counties. Various research studies further indicatethat while biological factors influencing mental health are mostly uncontrollable,social factors such as employment, neighbourhood, housing, inequality,education, gender, etc., are amenable to change and play a crucial role inindividual wellbeing (Kirkbride et al., 2024; Shim & Ruth, 2020).

Mental healthdisorders in India are closely associated with more socio-economicinequalities, unemployment, academic stress, gendered vulnerabilities, andrapid social change (Chadda& Gupta, 2012; Ghorbani et al., 2025; Harpham,1997; Galea et al., 2006). The NMHSreport also highlights higher prevalence rate of mental health problems in urbanpopulations (13 per cent) due to occupational stress, social isolation andchanging family structure compared to rural population (around 6 per cent). Notwithstandingthe high disease burden, India faces a severe treatment gap also exceeding 80per cent, indicating that a majority of individuals requiring mental healthcaredo not receive timely or adequate treatment. Empirical research suggests thatshortages of trained mental health professionals, weak integration with primaryhealthcare, stigma and low mental health literacy significantly restrictsaccess to care, particularly in rural and marginalised communities. In responseto these challenges, the Government of India has initiated a new NationalMental 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 mentalhealth policy architecture is anchored in the National Mental Health Policy,2014, which adopts a rights-based, participatory and life-course approach. Thepolicy emphasises universal access, stigma reduction, service decentralisationand integration of mental healthcare into primary health systems. A landmarklegislative development was the enactment of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017,which legally guarantees the right to mental healthcare and aligns India’slegal framework with international human rights norms. Research studies highlightsthat the Act represents a paradigm shift from custodial care to rights-basedand patient-centred mental healthcare (Duffy & Kelly, 2019). Along withthis, the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) continues to strengthendistrict-level mental healthcare delivery. More recently, the NationalTele-Mental Health Programme (Tele-MANAS) has expanded service reach through 24/7tele-counselling services in multiple Indian languages, addressing accessbarriers in underserved regions (Ministry of Health and Family Affair, 2025).

In spite ofpolicy progress, mental health remains under-financed, with public spendingaccounting for 1-1.3 per cent of the total health budget (Economic Survey 2024-25).Several research studies highlight the urgent need for increased investment,expansion of the mental health workforce, school- and workplace-basedinterventions, and community-led care models (Karan et al., 2021; WHO, 2025).Mental health is integral to India’s social cohesion, economic productivity andhuman 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.

Ruralwomen’s empowerment and livelihood security in India are shaped by acombination of gendered aspects of work participation, access to finance and agencyin household and community decisions. Recent data show measurable gains alongwith sharp state-level differences in this aspect. With respect to livelihood,national data shows that women’s economic participation has strengthened inrecent years. According to Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2023-24, femaleLabour Force Participation rate (LFPR, usual status, age 15+) stands at 41.7per cent and female Worker Population Ratio (WPR) stands at 40.3 per cent,reflecting a major rise compared to previous rounds (PIB, 2024). The ruralfemale LFPR increased considerably between 2017-18 and 2023-24, showing rurallabour markets, public works, and allied activities have been important spacesfor women’s income generation (PIB, 2024).

Acrossstates, empowerment and livelihood pathways vary because economic structure, socialnorms and programme reach differ widely. According to the PLFS pattern, femaleLFPR has increased in most states, with rural areas witnessing major gains,states such as Rajasthan and Jharkhand have shown strong increase in participationin recent evaluations (EACPM, 2024). At the same time, evidence from NationalFamily Health Survey (NFHS-5) 2019-21, shows state-level disparities in women’sempowerment indicators such as agency, decision-making and related indicators),highlighting that increase in one indicator (work) may not always matchimprovements in another (autonomy) (Vignitha, 2024). Empowerment is not onlyabout entering work, it is also about control over earnings, mobility anddecision-making. The recent NFHS 5 data shows that a large share of womenparticipate in key household decisions which often serve as a proxy for agency,yet gaps persist in financial autonomy. For example, it points out that manywomen still lack independent control over spending their own money, with theconstraints being more evident in rural areas, highlighting that income doesnot always translate into bargaining power (Mitra et al., 2024).

Withinthese contradicting scenarios, Self-Help Groups (SHG) have proved to be a majorinstitutional driver of rural women’s livelihood under Deendayal AntyodayaYojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), which supports savings,credit linkage, livelihood training and collective strength. This programme hasplayed a crucial role in expanding women’s access to formal finance andlivelihood opportunities. The latest data from Periodic Labour Force Survey(PLFS) suggests a positive trend: more rural women are participating inemployment and livelihood systems, while institutional platforms such as SHGsare also growing. However, empowerment remains uneven across states and socialgroups and the next policy push must focus not only on jobs but also on quality work, secure incomes, skill developmentand improved financial and social agency.

Abhimanyu Singh Thakur, Programme Coordinator, IRDF

It is evidenced that barley has been originated in Egypt over10,000 years ago, and the Rig Veda has references about its usages by all ages.Remarkably, Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, also encouraged itsusage as a staple food for pregnant women for health benefits for both motherand child in her womb. Although hulled barley crop is being used to make avariety of products, including malt whiskey and cattle feed. However, thebenefits of hullless barley (without husk) on human health would largely bediscussed hereunder.

Barley contains significantly higher proteins (13 gms) thanwheat (10.59 gms)and rice (7.94 gms). Similarly, both soluble(beta-glucan; 6-10%) and non-soluble (11.2%) fibre contents are alsocomparatively in better quantity than those in wheat (1.6 and 9.63) andpaddy(0.82 and 1.99). Besides, energy (1554), calcium (50 mg), iron (5 mg),zinc(5.2 mg), and starch (72.67 gm), which are also available in comparativelygood quantities than those of wheat and paddy. Polyphenols, a type ofantioxidant, are also available to the body in good amounts in barley (23.47mg) as compared to wheat (14.33 mg) and paddy (1.14 mg). However, the releaseof glucose (g) is much less, 0.06 g in barley than 0.73 of wheat, and 0.54 g inpaddy. Similarly, phytates (mg), which are considered bad nutrients, areamazingly half in barley (386 mg) than in wheat (638 mg). Barley alsopossesses a substantial amount of active ingredients along with a fairly goodquantity of phytochemicals, resistant starch, lignin, ferulic acid,phytosterols, and antioxidants, etc. Therefore, being optimal in barley ascompared to both wheat and paddy makes its quality even better for adding it tothe daily dietary schedule. Even compared with fruits, vegetables, pulses, andnuts, barley supplies an even better amount of soluble dietary fibers.

About 11.4% and 10%of the total population in India and Punjab,respectively, are diabetics. Low glycaemic index in barley is only half (28) ascompared to wheat (68), and high starch content, which keeps the blood sugar ata low level even for a longer time, makes a comparatively better staple foodthan both wheat and rice, especially diabetic population. In addition,beta-glucan also increases the effectiveness of insulin (an element essentialfor the digestion of sugar) as well as stimulates the production of anotherhormone called glucagon-like-peptide-1. Beta-glucan makes a type of jelly inthe intestines, which reduces hunger feeling thereby one eats naturally less.Starch can also reduce the risks of diseases like obesity, along beta-glucanalso provides a natural basis for beneficial bacteria and helps in theformation of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) quickly. It's the SCFA, whichhelps in producing less cholesterol by slowing down the production ofcholesterol in the liver and intestine of the human being. A jelly-likesubstance called beta-glucan, which plays an important role in making it lessabsorbed in the intestines in the body. The presence of sterols or phytosterolsin barley, which are similar to bad cholesterol, would have been less absorbedbecause sterols and phytosterols are absorbed more than cholesterol in theintestine. The indigestible fibers in the intestines, which are found in plentyin barley, help the gut system remain strong and healthy by which helps mentalhealth remain in good shape. Barley plays a good role in maintainingintellectual and mental health intact by providing vitamin B and antioxidants;besides, it also keeps the problem of constipation away. Removing impurities orfree radicals via polyphenols from the body helps in keeping the liver healthy,too. Significant health benefits of barley should place it as a healthy alternativeto both wheat and rice for both physical and mental health.

Dr. Ranjodh Singh Bains, Administrative Officer-cum-Secretary,

Punjab State Farmers’ and Farm Workers Commission