India is facing a growing mental health crisis marked by a high burden of depression, anxiety, addiction, and suicides, with nearly 70–92% treatment gap and a severe shortage of professionals. The Union Budget 2026 has focused on institutional expansion, including a second campus of the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, upgradation of regional institutes, and continued support for digital services like Tele MANAS. However, mental health spending remains below 2% of the health budget, and challenges such as stigma, limited community-level services, workforce shortages, and rising youth and digital-age stress persist. Addressing the crisis requires greater funding, community-based care, preventive strategies, and stronger primary healthcare integration to ensure accessible and affordable mental health services for all.
Click to View MoreIndia is strengthening its mental healthcare system with a renewed policy focus on access, equity, and early intervention. The expansion of national institutions like NIMHANS, the rollout of tele-mental health services such as Tele-MANAS, and integration of mental health into primary healthcare reflect a shift toward treating mental health as a core public health priority. These efforts aim to reduce the large treatment gap, address regional disparities, tackle stigma, and build a stronger mental health workforce, especially for vulnerable and underserved populations.
Click to View MoreIndia’s mental health crisis stems from a treatment gap, too few professionals, and strong stigma. Policies like the 2017 Act and Tele-MANAS help, but funding and implementation remain weak. India must strengthen primary care, expand its workforce, and normalize help-seeking to protect public health and equity.
Click to View MoreThe Karnataka Tele-MANAS helpline, part of India’s National Tele Mental Health Programme, has seen a dramatic rise in calls, especially from rural areas, reflecting growing mental health awareness and the increasing burden of psychological issues outside cities. The service provides 24/7 counselling, addressing concerns ranging from anxiety and depression to stress and interpersonal problems, while bridging gaps in accessibility and affordability. Community outreach through ASHA workers and Manochaitanya camps has been crucial in connecting people to these services, highlighting the evolving landscape of mental health care in both rural and urban settings.
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