~10.6%
Of India’s population live with mental health conditions [1]
~85%
Of those in need of mental health care do not receive any services or support [2]
~6.7m
Adults and ~3,80,000 adolescents are likely to be suffering from one or more
mental health problems in Tamil Nadu [3]
~94.2%
Is the treatment gap for any mental health problem in Tamil Nadu. [4]
Mental healthcare in India faces significant challenges, including high prevalence, lack of awareness, societal stigma, financial barriers, and limited access to resources. Tamil Nadu’s Athoor block in Dindigul district, lacks dedicated mental health facilities, residents to travel far for care. Additionally, stigma and fear prevent many from seeking help, while a shortage of mental health professionals exacerbates the issue. This affects individual well-being, families, and communities, underscoring the need for comprehensive interventions to address awareness, stigma, access, and affordability.
[1] PIB India. 2022. “
ECONOMIC SURVEY 2024 ADDRESSES MENTAL HEALTH AT THE ECONOMIC LEVEL FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER. ” Press release. July 22, 2022.
[2] PLOS Blogs. 2023 “
PLOS Global Public Health. ” May 25, 2023.
[3] National Health Mission, “
Tamil Nadu Mental Healthcare Policy and Implementation Framework. ” Health and Family Welfare Department. 2019.
[4] Dinakaran, Damodharan, Arpitha Krishna, Aravind Raj Elangovan, Senthil Amudhan, Selvi Muthuswamy, Chellamuthu Ramasubramanian, Palanimuthu T. Sivakumar, et al. 2023. ”
Epidemiological analysis of mental health morbidity in Tamil Nadu.” Indian Journal of Psychiatry 65 (12) : 1275–81.