Mental Health Research
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In today’s world, the discourse around mental health has been propelled to the centre stage. In a country like India, this topic has finally harbored enough public attention to be discussed. This brings us to the focal point of the discussion of our research: What exactly is mental health? Can we account for the presence of its understanding and sensitivity, or lack thereof, in the multi-layered, culturally and socio-economically diverse society that we live in? If so, how?
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In this research paper, produced collaboratively by Global Volunteers Action Network (GVAN) and People of Nora, we have endeavoured to present and contextualize the following:
1. History of Mental Health
2. Social Stigma that Surrounds Mental Health
3. Availability and Inclusivity of Mental Health Care
The objective of this research paper is to raise awareness and mobilize support about the state of mental health and its importance in India. It is essential that we have a contextual understanding of the stigma that surrounds this discourse, before making any attempt to work towards the resolution of this problem. We must therefore acknowledge the underlying challenges and obstacles that have hindered our ability to treat mental health as an important issue in India before finding solutions.
Here’s a staggering statistical insight into the dismal state of mental health stigma in India:
20%
Globally, 20% of young people experience mental disorders
7.3%
In India, only 7.3% of it 365 million youth report such disorders
​Although public stigma associated with mental health issues particularly affects help-seeking among young people, the extent of stigma amongst its population is unknown, largely owing to the magnitude of its population and the conservative nature of Indian society.