Nearly 80-85% of individuals with psychiatric disorders do not receive timely or appropriate care due to stigma and lack of awareness, mental health experts emphasized at the curtain raiser event of the 77th Annual National Conference of the Indian Psychiatric Society, ANCIPS 2026 Delhi. Despite advancements in treatment and increased awareness, a majority of individuals with mental illnesses remain outside the formal healthcare system. Experts stressed that early identification and appropriate management of mental illnesses are crucial as they are highly treatable health conditions.
Dr. Savita Malhotra, President of the Indian Psychiatric Society, highlighted that mental health disorders are highly treatable, yet over 80% of patients in India do not receive timely psychiatric care, mainly due to deep-rooted stigma, lack of awareness, and inadequate integration of mental health services into primary healthcare. She emphasized that addressing mental health concerns is not just a medical issue but a social, economic, and developmental challenge that requires urgent national attention.
Data from the National Mental Health Survey revealed that India has one of the widest treatment gaps globally, with more than 85% of individuals with common mental disorders not seeking or receiving treatment. Globally, over 70% of individuals with mental illness do not receive care from trained healthcare professionals, and in low-income countries, less than 10% of those in need access necessary treatment. India, with its vast population and limited mental health infrastructure, faces significant challenges in this regard.
Dr. Nimesh G. Desai, former Director of the Institute of Human Behaviour & Allied Sciences (IHBAS), emphasized that delayed psychiatric care leads to more severe and chronic illnesses, resulting in greater disability, family distress, loss of productivity, and an increased risk of self-harm and suicide. He stressed the importance of addressing mental health with the same urgency as physical health and highlighted the need to strengthen community-based services, train primary care doctors, and improve referral systems to bridge the treatment gap effectively.
Delayed treatment for mental illnesses not only affects individuals and families but also has broader societal and economic implications, contributing to increased morbidity, mortality, substance use disorders, unemployment, family breakdown, and suicide rates. Early identification and timely psychiatric intervention are crucial public health priorities, especially in a country like India, which already accounts for a significant proportion of global suicide deaths. While government initiatives like the Tele-MANAS national mental health helpline and the expansion of the District Mental Health Programme are positive steps, experts emphasized the need to substantially scale up these efforts to meet the growing demand.
