NIMHANS conducts National Mental Health Survey in 12 states

The National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, has conducted the National Mental Health Survey in 12 states of the country, read more to know about the findings.

After conducting a National Mental Health Survey in 12 states, the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, has found that the prevalence of mental disorders including common mental disorders, severe mental disorders, and alcohol and substance use disorders (excluding tobacco use disorder) in adults over the age of 18 years is about 10.6%.

National Mental Health Survey Highlights

Here are the major findings of the survey:

• The prevalence of mental morbidity is high in urban metropolitan areas.
• Mental disorders are closely linked to both causation and consequences of several non-communicable disorders (NCD).
• Nearly 1 in 40 and 1 in 20 persons suffer from past and current depression, respectively.
• Neurosis and stress-related disorders affect 3.5% of the population and were reported to be higher among females (nearly twice as much in males).
• Data indicate that 0.9 % of the survey population were at high risk of suicide.
• Nearly 50% of persons with major depressive disorders reported difficulties in carrying out their daily activities.

The government has also set up a 24/7 helpline to provide psychosocial support by mental health professionals to the Covid affected population into different target groups viz children, adults, elderly, women and healthcare workers. As per government data, to date, a total of 5,77,743 calls have been received on the helpline.

Read more:

• Ministry of Health provides NIMHANS toll-free helpline number for psychosocial support
• Union Budget 2022: National tele-mental health program will be launched