Over 80% of psychiatric patients don’t receive timely or adequate care
Team L&M
The Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS) expresses deep concern over the persistently high mental health treatment gap in India. Nearly 80–85 per cent of individuals suffering from psychiatric disorders do not receive timely or appropriate care, it says.
The stark reality is largely accurate and supported by national and global evidence. Mental health experts warn that despite advances in treatment and increasing awareness, a majority of people with mental illness continue to remain outside the formal healthcare system.
Data from the National Mental Health Survey (NMHS) clearly indicate that India faces one of the widest treatment gaps in the world. Over 85 per cent of people suffering from common mental disorders do not seek or receive treatment. In the global context, more than 70 per cent of individuals with mental illness do not receive care from trained healthcare professionals, and in many low-income countries, fewer than 10 per cent of those in need actually receive it. India, with its vast population and limited mental health infrastructure, remains particularly vulnerable to this challenge.
Mental illnesses are treatable
Dr Savita Malhotra, President of the Indian Psychiatric Society, says that mental illnesses are among the most treatable health conditions if identified early and managed appropriately. “Mental health disorders are highly treatable, yet the majority of patients in India continue to suffer in silence. The fact that over 80 per cent of people do not receive timely care reflects deep-rooted stigma, lack of awareness, and inadequate integration of mental health services into primary healthcare. This is not just a medical concern; it is a social, economic, and developmental issue that demands urgent national attention,” she says.
Experts talks of several interlinked reasons behind the long delays in seeking psychiatric care, which often range from several months to even years. Social stigma and discrimination remain major barriers, as individuals fear being labeled, judged, or marginalised by family, workplace, and society. Lack of awareness further compounds the problem, and many fail to recognise early symptoms of mental illness as medical conditions requiring professional help. Instead, symptoms are frequently attributed to stress, personal weakness, or temporary emotional disturbances. Another significant contributor to the treatment gap is the acute shortage of mental health professionals in India. The number of psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric social workers, and mental health nurses remains grossly inadequate, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas where the majority of the population resides. These factors collectively discourage timely help-seeking and continuity of care.
Delay in treatment is damaging
Dr. Nimesh G. Desai, former Director of the Institute of Human Behaviour & Allied Sciences (IHBAS), highlights the serious consequences of delayed or absent treatment. “When psychiatric care is delayed, the illness often becomes more severe and chronic, leading to greater disability, family distress, loss of productivity, and a significantly increased risk of self-harm and suicide. Mental health must be addressed with the same urgency and seriousness as physical health. Strengthening community-based services, training primary care doctors, and improving referral systems are essential steps to bridge this unacceptable treatment gap,” he says.
Dr Deepak Raheja, Director, Hope Care India, says that Integration of mental health services into primary healthcare, increased budgetary allocation, expansion of the mental health workforce, and sustained nationwide awareness campaigns are urgently needed to reduce stigma and improve access.
80% kids, 84% adults remain untreated
The burden of untreated mental illness is particularly severe among vulnerable groups. Studies indicate that nearly 80 per cent of children and adolescents with diagnosable mental disorders in certain regions do not receive any form of treatment, affecting their education, emotional well-being, and long-term life outcomes.
Similarly, close to 84 per cent of older adults with mental health conditions in India remain untreated, often due to neglect, lack of awareness, social isolation, or the mistaken belief that psychological symptoms are a normal part of aging.
Delayed treatment has far-reaching consequences not only for individuals and families but also for society and the economy. Untreated mental illness contributes to increased morbidity and mortality, higher rates of substance use disorders, unemployment, family breakdown, and suicide. India already accounts for a significant proportion of global suicide deaths, making early identification and timely psychiatric intervention a critical public health priority.
While recent initiatives such as the Tele-MANAS national mental health helpline, expansion of the District Mental Health Programme, and greater policy focus on mental health are positive steps, IPS experts stress that these efforts must be scaled up substantially to meet the growing demand.
