Mental health—two words that can make us squirm in our seats, avert our gaze, and swiftly change the topic. In India, discussing mental health still feels like you’re talking about some secret society. No one wants to admit they’re part of it, yet everyone knows someone who is. It’s high time we dropped the act, tossed the awkwardness out the window, and started treating mental health like what it is—essential and non-negotiable.
In a country of 1.4 billion people, mental health isn’t something that just a handful of people face—it’s a widespread issue. But here’s the catch: while physical illnesses have us running to the doctor, mental health struggles? We’d rather handle them behind closed doors. It’s as if being mentally unwell is a blemish, a flaw in one’s character.
But let’s be real—mental health knows no age, caste, gender, or financial status. Whether you’re a student drowning in exam pressure, a working professional navigating burnout, or an elder trying to keep up with a fast-paced, changing world, mental health affects us all.
So, why the secrecy? Why the whispers? Well, it’s rooted in stigma. In India, mental illness is often seen as a sign of weakness. “Toughen up” and “It’s all in your head” are common responses. But would we ever say, “It’s all in your bones” to someone with a broken leg? It’s ridiculous, right?
There’s a common misconception that mental health issues are just a modern-day trend. Our parents' generation grew up with the belief that they could simply "push through" tough times. But what if they were just better at bottling things up? Spoiler alert: bottling things up doesn’t work. Whether it’s anxiety, depression, or stress, ignoring mental health doesn’t make it go away; it makes it worse.
According to the National Mental Health Survey in 2025-16, nearly 15% of Indian adults need active mental health interventions, the percentage of which have only increased over the years. That’s millions of people who are suffering, often in silence. And yet, the conversation around mental health remains limited to hushed discussions or, worse, none at all.
One of the key reasons for this lack of dialogue is our cultural obsession with reputation. Families worry about what “society” will think if someone seeks therapy or admits to struggling mentally. But here’s the thing - your neighbour’s opinion isn’t going to help you sleep better at night, and it certainly isn’t going to cure anxiety or depression.
We need to bring mental health into our everyday conversations. Whether it’s at home, in schools, or workplaces, mental well-being should be discussed openly, without judgment. Schools should teach emotional resilience, workplaces should have mental health days, and, most importantly, families need to stop saying, "What will people think?" and start saying, "How can we help?"
It’s not just about addressing mental health when there’s a crisis. It’s about preventive care—understanding that mental health is an ongoing process. If you’re feeling stressed, it’s okay to take a step back. If you need therapy, it’s okay to seek help. It’s no different from going to a doctor when you’re physically unwell.
In India, another major challenge is accessibility. Mental health services are often either too expensive or too distant for a large portion of the population. Rural areas, in particular, face a scarcity of mental health professionals. But even in cities, therapy can be seen as a luxury. Mental health care should be accessible to all, regardless of one’s financial status or location.
Mental health awareness can’t only be restricted to a month or a day. Today, many celebrities, influencers, and public figures are starting to speak out, helping to reduce the stigma. But we still have a long way to go. Real change will only happen when mental health is treated as a priority by all, from policymakers to communities. Pretending it doesn’t exist doesn’t solve the problem; it only pushes it further into the shadows.
Because, in the end, mental health isn’t just a side issue—it’s the main event. Let’s give it the spotlight it deserves.
(The author is the IGP (Admin & STF), Assam. The views and opinions expressed in the article are the author’s o