What Indian population thinks about Mental Health? by Alvin

A study conducted by the Live Love Laugh Foundation in 2018 in India, uncovered a mix of awareness and stigma. In India, 20% of our population suffer from mental iillness, only 10-12% of them seek aid for their mental health concerns. While approximately half associate ‘being healthy’ with ‘happiness’ and a ‘sound/ healthy mind, negative stereotypes persist. Negative associations included harsh terms used by almost half of the respondents to describe people with mental illness, indicating persistent stigma.

there are positive statistics too. Despite gaps in awareness, 92% believe people with mental illness should consult specialists, and 7 out of 10 participants express confidence in the efficacy of the medication. Encouragingly, 63% believe those with severe mental health problems can fully recover showing that India is slowly but surely catching up with Awareness on mental illnesses and disorders. 

In developed countries like the US things also seem to be in a state of gradual development. In a recent survey of 2,053 respondents in the United States, 55% considered themselves at least slightly informed about mental illness. Surprisingly, only 9% believed their neighbors were similarly informed, unveiling a significant 46% perception gap. 

Despite 57% of adults perceiving society as caring toward those with mental illness, only 25% of individuals struggling with it felt the same. Unsettlingly, 56% wouldn't discuss mental health with friends and family, and a staggering 84% felt uneasy approaching their employers. 

Notably, 43% felt social media increased the incidence of mental illness, with only 3% believing it mitigated the problem. The findings underscore the urgent need for open conversations to dispel misconceptions surrounding mental health.