Mental Health In India’s Youth: Building A Future Of Support, Awareness & Access

In India, youth mental health has long been an overlooked crisis, hidden in the shadows of stigma and misinformation. The stories of young individuals grappling with mental health challenges are a constant reminder of the urgency to address this issue. Approximately 23.3% of children and adolescents in school settings experience mental health issues, while nearly 15% of youth aged 15–24 report mental health challenges. Yet, only about 7–10% of those affected seek professional help.

The numbers are staggering, but they are more than just statistics—they are lived realities. Young Indians wrestle with these challenges in silence, their potential constrained not by a lack of resources but by the weight of societal misconceptions and cultural taboos. This silence has devastating consequences with incidences of mental health breakdown and self-harm on the rise.

To address this silent pandemic, we must navigate two critical barriers:

Awareness and Stigma: Many young people hesitate to seek help due to fear of judgment or misunderstanding. Effective stigma reduction strategies include educational interventions and real-life narratives from those who have faced and overcome mental health challenges.

Affordability and Accessibility: Overcoming stigma is just the first step. Even then, access to affordable mental health services remains limited, especially in underserved areas.

The path forward demands collective action and a multifaceted approach:

1. Families and Communities as Pillars of Support

Mental health conversations must begin at home and extend to communities. Families play a pivotal role in encouraging open discussions, normalising struggles, and supporting help-seeking behaviour. We must foster environments where young individuals feel safe to share their feelings without fear of judgment.

2. Transforming Educational Institutions

Schools and colleges are on the front lines of this battle. Integrating mental health education into curricula and ensuring access to on-site psychologists can make a world of difference. Adolescence is a critical period when most mental health challenges emerge, and early intervention can significantly improve outcomes. 

3. Amplifying Government and Media Initiatives

The government must treat mental health with the same urgency as it did with the AIDS awareness campaigns. Public health initiatives that educate, dispel myths, and promote early intervention are vital. Similarly, the media must handle mental health representation responsibly, challenging stereotypes and fostering empathy.

4. Corporate Accountability

Organisations must recognise their role in shaping a mentally resilient workforce. With a growing Gen Z presence, companies need robust Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) that offer consistent mental health support. When leaders champion mental well-being, it sends a strong message that mental health is non-negotiable.

Experience shows how culturally sensitive interventions can dismantle barriers to seeking help. Collaborating with community leaders and using traditional communication methods ensures that the initiatives resonate deeply with diverse audiences.

Mental health among youth has long been a silent pandemic, with distress levels surging alarmingly in recent years. Studies show a significant rise in mental health distress among youth, with self-harm incidences increasing by over 20%. Academic hubs like Kota bear grim witness to this crisis, reporting over 26 suicides in the last year alone. The urgency to act is undeniable—the time for intervention is now. Collectively, we must commit to creating an environment where mental health is prioritized, and seeking help is viewed as a sign of strength.

By involving families, communities, educational institutions, corporations, and the media, we can build a supportive ecosystem that empowers our youth to thrive mentally and emotionally. Together, let us bridge the gaps in awareness, access, affordability, and the uptake of expert help to ensure a brighter, healthier future for our young generations.

Authored by Parveen Shaikh, President of Mpower, is passionately dedicated to raising mental health awareness and fostering a culture of help-seeking behaviour.