Breaking Barriers: Making Mental Health Care Accessible in India

Stigma and lack of awareness hinder mental health care access. Experts emphasize early diagnosis and treatment, likening mental illness to treatable chronic conditions. They advocate for community awareness, policy integration, and telepsychiatry to address India's mental health treatment gap and promote acceptance and mental health literacy.

Experts highlight that stigma and lack of awareness are major barriers in making mental health care accessible to those in need, emphasizing early diagnosis as crucial for effective treatment.

Dr. Neerja Agarwal, founder of Emoneeds, stresses recognizing mental illness as a health condition, while Dr. Deepika Dahima describes stigma as a silent epidemic exacerbating mental health challenges in India.

Experts advocate for community sensitization, policy integration, and promote telepsychiatry and education for mental health literacy to bridge the treatment gap and foster societal acceptance.

(With inputs from agencies.)