How the Decline of Mental Health is Affecting the Youth?

It's a well-known fact that India is a young country. With almost 50% of its population under the age of 25, the future of the nation rests on the shoulders of its youth.

But what if these young minds are not healthy? What if their mental health is deteriorating at an alarming rate? And what if it’s showing up in strange, bizarre and truly scary ways?

The decline of mental health in Indian youth is an invisible epidemic that is often ignored or dismissed. We live in a society that values academic achievements and success over mental well-being. It's a world where depression and anxiety are still seen as taboo subjects, and seeking help is considered a sign of weakness. In this world, it's not surprising that mental health issues are on the rise among Indian youth.

According to a study by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, about 1 in 5 young people in India are dealing with some form of mental illness. That's a staggering number, and it's only getting worse.

So why is this happening?

One of the biggest reasons is the pressure to succeed in an ever more competitive world. Young people in India are expected to excel in academics, sports, and extracurricular activities, all while maintaining a perfect social life. It's a high-stress environment that takes a toll on their mental health. Another contributing factor is social media. While it has its advantages, social media can be a breeding ground for negativity and self-comparison. Young people are bombarded with images of perfect bodies, perfect lives, and perfect relationships. It's easy to feel like you're not measuring up, and this can lead to warped expectations of reality, depression and anxiety.

Compound this, with the lack of any awareness or seriousness about mental health in their previous generation with a devastating lack of mental health professionals; and we are creating a catastrophe. According to the Indian Journal of Psychiatry, there are only 0.75 psychiatrists for every 100,000 patients in India. A better ratio would be 3 to 100,000. A number is so grim, that it should jolt society into action. And you can imagine if this is what the urban portion of India looks like, how non-existent this awareness is in the rural parts of India. The good news is that there are ways to tackle this invisible epidemic. It starts with acknowledging that mental health is just as important as physical health. We need to create an environment where seeking help for mental health issues is not seen as a weakness but as a sign of strength.

And we need to initiate this change from our homes first. It is beyond critical that India should provide its youth with the tools and resources they need to manage their mental health. This includes access to mental health professionals, support groups, and educational programs that teach coping skills and stress-management techniques. In conclusion, the decline of mental health in Indian youth is a serious issue that cannot be ignored any longer. We need to start talking about it, raising awareness, and providing the necessary support. It's time to make mental health a priority and take action to prevent this invisible epidemic from spreading any more than it already has.