A class that Changed me.
I had never imagined that a boring 1-hour English Proficiency class would lead me to dig deeper into the subject matter that I'd been ignoring my whole life – "Mental Health."
I was in my class of EPCC (English Proficiency Certificate Course), and that day was dedicated to a discussion on an episode of "Satyamev Jayate" about 'Mental Health'.
Before that day, I had never paid much interest to topics such as mental health or mental illness. The episode was super insightful and made me rethink my beliefs about mental health. A story of real people sharing their own experiences, haunted by opinions, stereotypes & stigma. All thanks to the show "Satyamev Jayate" that forced me to learn more about mental health. I wish there were more shows like that so more people would become aware of topics that Indians had made taboo.
And that sparked the curiosity in me and I've started to read several things on mental health. Then I came across a Reddit post of a 16-year-old girl on a teen subreddit talking about getting into trouble due to some 18+ stuff (I must not mention), and at the end, she wrote that she's thinking of sharing that with her therapist. Everybody in her comments suggested she share that with her therapist because it was something she must let her parents know about.
That post made me think that the 16-year-old girl had access to a therapist or at least knew that therapy exists or had a personal therapist. Don't get me wrong—I'm not being judgemental because I used to believe that only adults or elders need a therapist, at least in India, but that perspective completely changed.
All of a sudden, I remembered a psychiatrist who used to visit our school and take a class once a week, where he used to discuss topics such as mental health, bad habits & sex education. Dr. Mukesh Kishor sir, a very happy man with a great understanding of human psychology. He was great at understanding students and their problems and providing solutions that suit that person. He used to talk to the person one-on-one about what they feel? How do they feel? And why do they feel? And so on. I used to think why would someone want to listen to others' problems and give solutions? I mean that’s so boring, nobody does that.
All these thoughts started to make sense after I went through a lot of reports, personal research and research papers about mental health and finally came to the conclusion on "India's Mental Health Issue." But before that, let's understand "What is Mental Health?"
What is Mental Health?
World Health Organization (WHO) defined mental health as "a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community."
It is one of the crucial components of health and well-being that influence the ability of individuals to make decisions, build relationships and shape the world we live in. And it is also considered to be one of the basic human rights.
Mental health is more than just an absence of disorders, and it is experienced differently by each and everyone with various degrees and intensity of problems.
What is Mental Disorder?
A mental disorder is a condition that affects how a person thinks, feels, or behaves in a serious way. It often causes problems in daily life, such as trouble at work, in school, or in relationships.
There are many types of mental disorders, and they can also be called mental health conditions. This broader term includes not only mental disorders but also other mental and emotional problems that cause serious stress, make it hard to function, or increase the risk of self-harm.
How Indians Perceive Mental Illness?
In India, mental health is considered a taboo topic to discuss. And people often consider mental illness as something unnatural or something that people won't talk about because of various reasons.
Mental illness is often misunderstood as a sign of personal weakness or 'madness' rather than a legitimate health issue. "Faith over Science" – Many still turn to spiritual healers like 'baba', 'tantrik' & 'hakims' instead of psychologists or psychiatrists.
"Stigma is deep-rooted" – Especially in Indian households, mental illness is seen as a taboo topic to be discussed on that eventually leads to silence and shame. Family discourages so much that they advise to "stay strong", "pray more" rather than seek therapy or consult a therapist.
Indians see 'therapy' as a last resort or something for the 'crazy' people, not as a routine form of health care.
Even though awareness in youth is slowly rising in urban areas or more specifically (Tier 1 and 2 cities), in rural areas they're still facing some resistance from the older generation.
According to reports, 'men' are less likely to seek help due to social expectations around masculinity and emotional suppression. And one of the important facts is that Indians abroad show more openness due to 1. Less stigma & 2. Lack of family interference.
To sum up all the above points, "Education level matters." – Those with higher education are more likely to understand and accept mental health services.
Where the Problem Lies?
1. Social Stigma: As we discussed above, there are thousands of stigmas around mental health and we Indians have made this topic a taboo—a thing that people should not talk about. If a person has a certain mental illness, instead of proper treatment they try to hide it from society to avoid embarrassment. Why? Because people think that a person with mental illness is 'mad' or 'crazy' and they believe there should not be any place for those. Worst part is that other people avoid visiting or meeting the person with MHI and avoid their children meeting that person.
2. Myths & Misinformation: In India, there's a false belief in people's minds about mental illness. They believe that mental illness is either caused by supernatural forces or someone's curse. This often leads them to go to faith healers and rituals.
3. Cultural Barrier: Over the centuries, India has perceived men as someone who should not be considered weak in public or society. "Mard ko dard nahi hota," – A man feels no pain. "Mard rote nahi hain" – A man doesn’t cry. And many more. Even though men won't accept these quotes for the sake of it, because they represent a particular gender, neither do they deny the fact that men too have feelings. Due to all these things, men were the worst sufferers; they won’t share their thoughts, they won’t talk to anybody about what they’ve been up to, and so on.
4. Economic Barrier: One of the biggest economic barriers to mental health care in India is its affordability. Therapy sessions typically cost between ₹800 to ₹3000, making them inaccessible to a large portion of the population. While the Mental Healthcare Act 2017 mandates insurance coverage, in practice, most health insurance plans either exclude or severely limit mental health benefits. Public mental health services are scarce and mostly urban-centric, leaving people in Tier 2 and 3 cities with limited or no access. For those who do seek help, indirect costs like travel, time off work, and social consequences due to stigma further increase the burden. As a result, mental health care in India is often viewed not as a necessity, but as a luxury only the privileged can afford.
What Actions Should Be Taken?
To think about an 'Action', two prominent key figures have given their theories about mental illness – Sigmund Freud, an Austrian neurologist, and Alfred Adler, an Austrian medical doctor.
While talking about psychology, Sigmund Freud’s name comes first to mind. But if we dig deeper into a theory that is practical and empowering and a human-centered philosophy, Alfred Adler deserves a standing ovation.
Sigmund Freud: Unconsciousness and Past.
Sigmund Freud believed that much of our behavior is driven by unconscious desires, especially those rooted in childhood experiences. He introduced the concepts of the id, ego, and superego (not to get into details), suggesting that our minds are in constant conflict between instinct, morality, and reality. Freud emphasized sexual and aggressive urges as the primary forces behind human behavior. For example, in Freud's view, a person struggling with anxiety might be dealing with repressed childhood trauma or unresolved unconscious conflicts. His approach focused on introspection and deep analysis of the past, usually through therapy.
In the Indian context, Freud’s theory might feel distant or abstract, especially in a society where discussing sexuality and unconscious drives is often taboo. His ideas were profound but more diagnostic and analytical, rather than practical for everyday emotional challenges.
Alfred Adler: Purpose, Courage & Social Belonging.
In contrast, Alfred Adler focused on the present and the future, rather than the past. He believed that people are primarily motivated by their goals, social connections, and feelings of inferiority. According to Adler, everyone experiences a sense of not being “good enough” at some point (what he called the inferiority complex), but we grow by developing the courage to overcome these feelings. He emphasized social interest, purpose, and personal growth over time. A person dealing with anxiety, in Adler’s view, is someone who may feel disconnected, insecure, or fearful of failure—not broken, just struggling with belief in themselves.
For Indian educators, parents, and students, Adler’s theory feels more relatable. It speaks to the reality of competition, societal pressure, and the need for emotional support and encouragement. Unlike Freud’s inward-focused theory, Adler promotes an actionable, empowering mindset that encourages self-awareness, not self-blame.
Real-Life Example (Indian Context)
Freud’s View:
A student who fears speaking in class may have unresolved repression from early childhood, possibly due to authoritarian parenting or inner sexual conflict.
Adler’s View:
The student likely feels inferior compared to peers and lacks confidence. Support, belonging, and encouragement will help them develop courage and connection.
“Unexpressed emotions will never die. They are buried alive and will come forth later in uglier ways.”
— Sigmund Freud
“Trust only movement. Life happens at the level of events, not of words. Trust movement.”
— Alfred Adler
Is it Enough to Make a Change?
India is home to over 1.4 billion people (143.81 crores in 2023), yet there are only an estimated 325 NGOs actively working in the field of mental health. In a country of such vast scale and diversity, this number appears strikingly inadequate. While both government and private organizations do contribute—directly or indirectly—the collective effort still falls short. Mental illness in India is not only stigmatized but also underserved. Even those who are aware of mental health issues often suffer silently due to lack of resources, limited access to trained professionals, and the high cost of treatment.
In conclusion, raising awareness is only the first step. Real change will require systemic reforms, community-based support, and a cultural shift that treats mental health as essential—not optional.