The Current Portrait of Mental Health in Healthcare
Nurturing Well-being: The Current Portrait of Mental Health in Healthcare.
Mental health has transitioned from a clandestine dialogue to an open discourse resonating in the corridors of the 21st century. Once shrouded in secrecy and stigma, discussions around mental well-being have become more welcoming, reshaping societal norms. However, the statistics on mental health in India paint a dire picture. Indian employers, for instance, lose around USD 14 billion in productivity owing to poor mental health among employees, suggests a survey by Deloitte.
India faces significant challenges in mental health with statistics showing that approximately 60-70 million suffer from disorders, which is roughly one out of five Indians. Mental health challenges hit young minds hard with 5-7 per cent of Indian adolescents experiencing depression and 2-4 per cent anxiety. Despite this, only 10-12 per cent of those affected receive treatment, underscoring a massive gap in the critical lack of access to care. Adding to this, India has the world’s highest suicide rate among youth, with over 2.6 lakh cases annually.
Access to mental health care remains a formidable challenge in both India and around the world. The scarcity of mental health professionals, particularly in underserved regions, results in a lack of support for many individuals. In India, there are very few mental health professionals—only 0.3 psychiatrists, 0.07 psychologists, and 0.07 social workers per 100,000 people. Developed countries, on the other hand, have much higher numbers, with 6.6 psychiatrists per 100,000. The global average for mental hospitals is 0.04 per 100,000, while India’s figure is only 0.004.
Affordability poses another significant hurdle, as treatment costs may not always be covered by insurance. While capacity building in this field is a time-consuming process, the current demand emphasizes the urgency for technological solutions. Recognizing this as a critical issue for the Indian economy, startups in India are strategically utilizing cutting-edge technology to address this global challenge.
Atal Incubation Centre (AIC T-Hub) ‘s Diverse Initiatives: Fostering Innovation in Mental Health
While the numbers tell a stark story, the fight for better mental health in India is gaining momentum. In the face of persistent challenges in the mental health landscape, organizations such as the Atal Incubation Centre (AIC) at T-Hub under Atal Innovation Mission network play a crucial role in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in various sectors, including mental health.
Established by the Government of India under the Atal Innovation Mission, AIC’s diverse initiatives and Healthcare programs for startups have emerged as beacons of hope, actively contributing to innovative solutions and reshaping the narrative around mental health.
In this landscape, AIM, with a staggering 69 centres incubating over 2,900 startups and creating more than 32,000 jobs, has built a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem that aims to address challenges in many key sectors including the mental healthcare field. AIC’s commitment extends beyond business realms, actively contributing to innovative solutions for mental health challenges. The Seed Fund initiative provides crucial financial assistance and mentorship to early-stage mental health startups, envisioning a budding teletherapy platform receiving the crucial boost it needs to reach remote communities. By incubating startups specializing in teletherapy platforms and mental health awareness tools, AIM helped address the pressing issues of stigma and accessibility. Notable startups in mental health at AIC T-Hub include Happilyever, a psychometric assessment platform.
Collaborative Innovation Through AIC’s
Mental Health Hackathons organized by AIC bring together diverse minds, fostering collaborative efforts to devise innovative solutions for specific mental health challenges, such as brainstorming gamified anxiety management tools or AI-powered chatbots for depression support.
The “Manasmitra” program, among other initiatives, leverages technology and community outreach to educate people in rural areas, reducing stigma and encouraging help-seeking behaviour. AIC further extends its impact through Capacity Building Workshops, empowering community health workers and educators to become mental health first responders.
AIM network of AICs dedication, evident in over 400 intellectual properties generated, underscores its support through the Mentorship Network, connecting promising mental health startups with experienced mentors. These mentors provide guidance on various aspects of business development, from achieving product-market fit to navigating fundraising endeavours. AICs also actively participated in Advocacy and Awareness Campaigns, challenging stigma and promoting help-seeking behaviour through vibrant rallies and impactful social media initiatives.
Scaling operations and promoting awareness, AICs ensures that promising mental health solutions reach those who need them the most, embodying a vision for a more accessible and supportive environment for individuals and communities grappling with mental health challenges.
Envisioning a future where mental well-being is a fundamental right reflects our shared commitment to fostering a compassionate and inclusive society. As challenges persist, unwavering dedication positions us to cultivate a future where mental health thrives alongside societal progress, marking a transformative conclusion in this ongoing pursuit.
