NEWS

• The World Health Organisation (WHO) has revealed that over 1 billion people worldwide live with mental health disorders.
• In 2021, 727,000 people died by suicide, with one death occurring in every 20 suicide attempts.
• Suicide is now the leading cause of death among young people across all countries and social classes.

HIGHLIGHTS

Key Findings from WHO Reports

• Reports: World Mental Health Today and Mental Health Atlas 2024.
• Anxiety and depression form two-thirds of all mental disorders.
• Prevalence of mental disorders (2011–2021): Increased faster than global population, reaching 13.6% in 2021.
• Age factor: Highest rise among 20–29 years (1.8%).
• Gender differences:
  • Males – ADHD, autism, intellectual disabilities.
  • Females – anxiety, depression, eating disorders.
• After age 40, depression becomes more common, peaking at 50–69 years.

Global Goal vs Current Status

• UN SDG Target (2030): Reduce suicide deaths by one-third.
• Current estimate: Only 12% reduction possible by 2030 unless urgent action is taken.

India’s Mental Health Challenge

• Huge shortage of psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, and counsellors.
• NCRB Report 2021: 1.64 lakh suicides in India, a 7.2% rise from 2020.
• Suicide deaths were higher than COVID deaths in 2020.

Government Response

• National Suicide Prevention Strategy (2022):
  • Aim: Reduce suicide deaths by 10% by 2030.
  • Framework includes roles for multiple stakeholders.
• Supreme Court Directions (2025):
  • All schools, colleges, hostels, and coaching centres must adopt mental health policies.
  • Institutions to follow guidelines like MANODARPAN and UMMEED Draft for student well-being.

Way Forward

• Shift from custodial care (institutionalising patients) to therapeutic care (counselling, treatment, medicines).
• Ensure affordable mental healthcare, trained professionals, and continuous treatment support.