Self-reporting of mental illness less than 1% in India: IIT-Jodhpur study

A recent study conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur and Ohio State University in the US has revealed some startling facts about mental health in India.

This study, published in the International Journal of Mental Health Systems, found that less than one per cent of people in India self-report mental illness. This suggests that mental health issues might be significantly underreported in the country.

India’s self-reported mental illness minimal

The study was based on data from the 75th round of the National Sample Survey conducted in 2017-18. Over half a million people from both rural and urban areas across India were included in the survey. Among these, only a small fraction were identified as outpatients or were hospitalized due to mental disorders.

Interestingly, the study also found that individuals with higher incomes were 1.73 times more likely to report health problems compared to those with lower incomes. This could indicate that socio-economic factors play a role in the reporting and treatment of mental health issues.

A recent study led by Dr Alok Ranjan from IIT Jodhpur and Dr Jewel Crasta from The Ohio State University, USA, has shed light on several critical aspects of mental health in India. The study found that self-reporting of mental disorders is significantly lower than the actual prevalence, indicating a substantial gap in identifying and addressing mental health issues in the country.

Interestingly, the study also revealed a socio-economic divide in mental health reporting. It was found that the richest income group in India was 1.73 times more likely to report mental disorders compared to the poorest.

The private sector plays a significant role in providing mental health services in India, accounting for 66.1% of outpatient care and 59.2% of inpatient care. However, only about 23% of people hospitalized for mental disorders had health insurance coverage nationally.

Mental health care costly, burdensome

The study also highlighted the financial burden of mental health care, with the average out-of-pocket expenditure for both hospitalization and outpatient care being significantly higher in the private sector than in the public sector.

The study stated that the direct and indirect costs of mental disorders can worsen the economic condition, thereby creating a vicious cycle of poverty and mental disorders. The results underscore the need to comprehend the local sociodemographic context when formulating strategies to decrease the disease burden of mental disorders. Given the socio-cultural and demographic diversity in different regions of India, the study calls for systematic investigation into these factors.

In the debate between private versus public, the private sector has emerged as a major provider of mental health services, contributing to 66.1 per cent of outpatient care and 59.2 per cent of inpatient care. The study also shows that average out-of-pocket expenditures for both hospitalisation and outpatient care are significantly higher in the private sector than in the public sector.

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