Bridging India’s Mental Healthcare Gap
By Cyrus Vandrevala India faces a mental-health burden, but the challenge is not defined by prevalence alone. The National Mental Health Survey conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences in 2015–16 estimated that 10.6% of Indian adults had a diagnosable mental disorder, with treatment gaps ranging from 70 to 92% across conditions. A study published in The Lancet…
India grapples with a significant mental-health burden, as estimated by the National Mental Health Survey conducted in 2015-16, which found that 10.6% of Indian adults had a diagnosable mental disorder. Treatment gaps for these disorders ranged from 70% to 92% across different conditions. In 2017, it was estimated that 197.3 million Indians experienced mental disorders, including 45.7 million with depressive disorders and 44.9 million with anxiety disorders.
The share of mental disorders in India's disease burden has risen from 2.5% in 1990 to 4.7% in 2017. Access to mental healthcare remains constrained by cost, distance, shortages of trained professionals, and stigma. Psychiatrists in India are estimated to be available at roughly 0.75 per 100,000 people.
Cyrus Vandrevala, a co-founder of Intrepid Capital Partners and SEMCAP, has made growth-stage investments in Indian industries such as IT services, infrastructure, and real estate. He established the Cyrus and Priya Vandrevala Foundation in 2008, which launched its mental-health helpline in 2009, providing free psychological counselling and crisis support.
The helpline has remained available 24/7, offering immediate contact for people who may be reluctant to approach hospitals, clinics, or practitioners. The Foundation's model has since expanded to include WhatsApp support, counsellor and volunteer training, institutional collaborations, and continuing consultation services.
Mental health, according to Cyrus, should be viewed at a macro level, not just as a concern for those with diagnosed psychiatric conditions. Untreated mental distress can impact how individuals engage with medical treatment and cope with illnesses. Recognizing this, the Foundation advocates for an integrated approach where civil-society organizations develop accessible services while governments strengthen public provision.
The helpline, although not a substitute for psychiatric treatment or emergency intervention, provides psychological first aid, identifies urgent concerns, and directs callers to appropriate care.
The Foundation's services are available in 11 languages through telephone and digital channels, making it accessible in a country where people may find it easier to express distress in their first language. The Foundation's model has also incorporated institutional collaborations and continuing consultation services. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Foundation expanded its counselling capacity to address the increased demand due to bereavement, isolation, and financial uncertainty.
Cyrus serves as co-founder and funder, while clinical operations are led by Dr Arun John, and clinical protocols, supervision, training, and case management are managed by qualified professionals. The Foundation operates alongside India's public mental-health system, which has launched the National Tele Mental Health Programme, or Tele-MANAS, handling over 500,000 calls by December 2023 across 34 states and Union Territories.
Written by urgent.news from Free Press Journal's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
