Depression in India: 4.5 per cent population depressed, reports World Health Organisation

New Delhi, Mar 24: About 4.5 population of the total population of India suffers from depression as per a 2017 report called ‘Depression and Other Common Mental Disorders – Global Health Estimates’ released by World Health Organization (WHO).

As per a survey conducted by the central government, the prevalence of the ‘depressive disorders in India is estimated to be 2.7% of the total population.’

The survey was conducted by the central government called National Mental Health Survey through National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore in 12 states of the country. The reports also have it that to address the issue of depression in India, the Government of India is working towards implementing the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) which the government launched in 1982.

The government has also been supporting the implementation of District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) under NMHP in as many as 339 districts of the country to detect, manage and treat mental disorders and illnesses in the country.

To address the issue of ‘shortage of mental health professionals in the country, increase the PG training capacity in mental health, and improving the tertiary care treatment facility, the government is working towards establishment of 21 Centres of Excellence in Mental Health and strengthening and establishment of 39 Post Graduate training departments in mental health specialties. The centres have also been funded.

Apart from that, the government has also strengthened three central institutions-National Institute of Mental Health And Neuro Sciences, Bangalore, Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Regional Institute of Mental Health, Tezpur and Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi- for increasing human resources in the area of mental health and for capacity building in the country.

The District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) has also been restructured to include suicide prevention services, workplace stress management, life skills training and counselling in schools and colleges.

As per the reports, support is also being provided to Central/State Mental Health Authorities, Research and Training and for Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities.