Despite rising demand and changing attitudes, Indians have limited access to mental healthcare: Data

The demand for mental healthcare is increasing in India thanks to shifts in attitudes over the years. However, data show that there is no commensurate rise in the number of mental health professionals

The demand for mental healthcare is increasing in India thanks to shifts in attitudes over the years. However, data show that there is no commensurate rise in the number of mental health professionals.

The World Health Organization’s guidelines state that there should be at least three practising psychiatrists per one lakh population. As per the latest National Mental Health Survey (NMHS), which was conducted between 2015 and 2016, India has only 0.75 psychiatrists per 1 lakh population.

In its 2023 report, ‘Mental Healthcare and Its Management in Contemporary Times,’ the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare stated that there were 9,000 working psychiatrists in India at the time. If the goal is to have three psychiatrists per one lakh population, India would require 36,000, the report said.

The report also pointed out that about 1,000 psychiatrists enter the workforce every year. Keeping aside factors such as attrition and unemployment, it would take India about 27 years to meet the WHO-recommended goal (Chart 1). If India wants to achieve this mark earlier, it requires a policy intervention with adequate incentives to increase supply.

Chart 1 shows the number of psychiatrists required at the end of every year to meet the WHO recommendation. The red line shows the required ratio of psychiatrists per one lakh population.

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India’s rate of 0.75 is poor compared to other countries. Among the BRICS nations (updated list), India is one of the two countries with the lowest number of psychiatrists per capita; the other is Ethiopia, which employs 0.1 psychiatrists per 1 lakh population. However, India fares better in South Asia (Chart 2).