Economic Survey 2023-24 Highlights Mental Health Issues for the 1st Time

The survey stresses the importance of proper implementation to accelerate improvements in mental healthcare and address gaps in existing programs.

For the first time, the Economic Survey 2023-24, tabled by Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament on July 22, extensively addresses mental health, highlighting its significance and policy implications.

The survey recognizes mental health as a crucial driver of individual and national development.

According to the National Mental Health Survey (NMHS) 2015-16, 10.6% of adults in India suffer from mental disorders, with treatment gaps ranging between 70% and 92% for different disorders.

The prevalence of mental morbidity is notably higher in urban metro regions (13.5%) compared to rural areas (6.9%) and urban non-metro areas (4.3%).

The Economic Survey cites NCERT’s Mental Health and Well-being of School Students Survey, which indicates an increasing prevalence of poor mental health among adolescents, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The survey found that 11% of students feel anxious, 14% experience extreme emotions, and 43% report mood swings.

Recognizing mental health as fundamental to overall well-being, the survey underscores key government initiatives, including the National Mental Health Programme, the National Tele Mental Health Programme, efforts to increase mental health personnel, and the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram.

Policy Recommendations

The survey stresses the importance of proper implementation to accelerate improvements in mental healthcare and address gaps in existing programs.

One major recommendation is to increase the number of psychiatrists from 0.75 per Lakh in 2021 to the WHO norm of 3 per Lakh.

This significant increase would help bridge the current treatment gap and ensure more widespread access to mental health care. Additionally, the development of comprehensive guidelines for excellence centers’ services is highlighted.

This involves working closely with mental healthcare professionals and users to understand their needs better and create more effective service frameworks.

Assessing the effectiveness of current programs is another crucial recommendation. By gathering feedback from users, professionals, and stakeholders, necessary changes can be made to meet the needs of a broader population.

This feedback loop is essential for continuously adapting and improving mental health services. Furthermore, integrating mental health interventions in schools is emphasized as a key strategy.

Developing an age-appropriate mental health curriculum for teachers and students, encouraging early intervention and positive language in schools, and promoting community-level interactions are essential. Balancing the role of technology in these interventions is also crucial to ensure accessibility and engagement.