Opinion | Somewhere Away from the Headlines, India is Taking a Bold Stance on Mental Health – News18

Last Updated:October 25, 2024, 15:56 IST

While the woke brigade is the first to claim ownership over progressive topics, it is PM Modi who is at the forefront of this transformative mental health movement

One of the most notable platforms Modi uses to break the silence on mental health is his Mann Ki Baat radio show. (PTI/File)

In a country where mental health has long been swept under the rug, a quiet yet profound shift seems to be unfolding. Conversations that were once shrouded in taboo and shame are now being recognised as crucial pillars for the nation’s development. And leading this charge, somewhat unexpectedly, is Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

While the woke brigade is the first to claim ownership over progressive topics, it is PM Modi who is at the forefront of this transformative mental health movement, turning India into one of the few nations where mental health is given a place in mainstream national discourse. This is no small feat in a society where mental health issues are traditionally viewed with shame, hushed whispers, or, worse, complete denial.

Look around: the stats are alarming. Headlines scream of young students and professionals succumbing to work stress and societal pressure. The recent spate of tragedies, especially among students and young employees, has made the fragility of the human mind even more painfully visible. While social media virtue-signaling about mental health abounds, PM Modi has chosen to tackle it head-on through progressive policies and concrete action, making real-world intervention accessible and affordable to all Indians.

Using Influence for Impact

One of the most notable platforms Modi uses to break the silence on mental health is his Mann Ki Baat radio show. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, PM Modi spoke about the challenges faced by millions of distraught Indians faced with uncertainty, fear, and grief. His message was simple but powerful—mental health matters just as much as physical health, and seeking help should not be seen as a weakness. With his simple, heartfelt speeches, he managed to tackle an issue that even developed nations often struggle with—normalising the conversation around mental well-being.

Even on Pariksha Pe Charcha—his annual interactive session with students, parents, and teachers across India—PM Modi has openly addressed exam stress and holistic well-being, diffusing discomfort surrounding such topics. No other prime minister has ever spoken so candidly about mental health, especially in the context of children and youth.

In fact, during Pariksha Pe Charcha, Modi does something many wouldn’t expect from a leader often dubbed “conservative”—he asks students not to fear failure, urges them to de-stigmatise stress, and discusses anxiety without mincing words. It’s refreshing, relatable, and is creating a generational shift in how mental health is perceived by the Indian public. He even went to on to author a book Exam Warriors, urging students to tackle exam stress with positivity, mindfulness, and yogic practices.

Leading by Example

But beyond words, PM Modi has also lived by example. Despite facing constant criticism and relentless media onslaught since the beginning of his political career, he has demonstrated extraordinary emotional resilience and vulnerability, often crediting yoga and spiritual practices for his ability to remain calm and grounded in the face of crisis. When ISRO’s Chandrayaan mission failed, or when India’s sports teams faced tough losses, he unconditionally stood by his countrymen, ‘jeet mein hi nahi, haar mein bhi’ (not just in victory but also in defeat).

After major events, such as the Diwali season or election victories, he often takes a brief spiritual break, famously saying, ‘main mujhse milne ja raha hoon’ (I am going to meet myself).

After the 2019 elections, he retreated to the Kedarnath caves for introspection, and after the 2024 elections, he followed a similar path. These acts of self-care, while subtle, show that despite his reputation for working around the clock, the Prime Minister does value me-time, and sees it as vital for personal growth and wellbeing.

The Real Walk Beyond the Talk

Personal examples aside, the Modi government too has made substantial inroads into mental health care access, building a comprehensive, scalable infrastructure. To date, over 1.74 lakh primary health centres and 53 Tele-MANAS cells have been set up to provide first-level mental health care—a critical step for a country facing one of the world’s highest suicide rates. Thanks to these foresightful initiatives, mental health services are no longer confined to urban private clinics; they are reaching the grassroots, where such support is needed most.

India, often seen as lagging behind in the mental health conversation, is now catching up—if not overtaking—other nations when it comes to making help available on a massive scale. The government’s Ayushman Bharat scheme has expanded to cover 22 procedures related to mental health disorders, benefiting crores of Indians. How many countries, let alone those with India’s population, can claim that mental health services are part of a national health scheme?

And it doesn’t end there. The District Mental Health Program (DMHP), an initiative rarely discussed in mainstream media, reaches 767 districts across the nation, delivering inpatient mental health facilities for those with severe mental health disorders.

It is worth noting that across these initiatives, mental health isn’t just slotted into existing health structures, but is being actively supported by a surge in trained professionals. The government has backed the creation of 25 Centres of Excellence and 47 new postgraduate departments in mental health specialties, ensuring that qualified personnel are being produced to meet the growing demand.

Add to this the digital academies established at institutions like NIMHANS, which offer online training to doctors and paramedics across India’s underserved regions, and you’ve got a system rapidly closing the gap on mental health accessibility.

Tackling Mental Health in Children

Modi’s government has taken deliberate steps to include mental health support in schools through the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Imagine that—millions of schoolchildren will now grow up in an environment where mental health is a part of their education, not an afterthought. The Manodarpan initiative, focused on student mental well-being, has been a lifeline during the pandemic, providing helplines, webinars, Sahyog sessions, and awareness campaigns. If there’s one thing we’ve learned from the wave of student suicides, it’s that young people desperately need such platforms, and fortunately, India is moving ahead of the curve on this front.

Comparing the Global Scene

Now, let’s put some things into perspective—despite being a developing country, India’s mental health outreach in the past decade has been far more ambitious than some of the world’s most advanced economies. While the US and UK have invested in mental health awareness, they are still grappling with accessibility challenges, especially in rural areas. In contrast, India’s massive public health machinery is working overtime to ensure that the remotest villages have access to mental health care.

Countries like Australia and Sweden may boast a higher number of mental health professionals per capita, but their mental health programs are nowhere near as scalable as India’s Tele-MANAS or Ayushman Bharat coverage. In many developed countries, mental health remains a privilege, often accessible only to those who can afford it or have insurance coverage. India, however, is democratizing mental health care at an unprecedented scale.

Progressive Governance, Real Change

All this has stemmed from an approach to governance that is both pragmatic and deeply empathetic. The Prime Minister is not “performing” progressive ideals for the applause of the international community; rather, he is focusing on tangible solutions that make real on-ground impact. But more than that, he’s smashing the stereotype that mental health advocacy belongs only in the so-called liberal circles.

Shuchi Singh is an author who focusses on women’s issues and mental health. She currently leads communications for several reputed organisations. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views.