(Five out of ten leading causes of disability around the world are mental health issues. As part of a continued effort to address the issue, The Quint is focusing on raising awareness and mobilising support. This article was first published on 5 April 2017.)
Another day, another suicide. A mental health crisis is enveloping India as we speak – a crisis that is made worse by stigma, and a crippling lack of adequate mental healthcare infrastructure.
While a few steps have been taken to address this issue, the efforts are no where near enough.
The Parliament’s nod for the revamped Mental Healthcare Bill is a positive step, as is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s move to initiate a conversation about depression, during his monthly radio address. Despite these efforts, the ground reality paints a shocking and bleak picture. It is a harsh reminder of how the nation is still a long way off from effectively combating mental illness.
Here’s a look at India’s mental healthcare crisis in numbers.