(Five out of ten leading causes of disability around the world are mental health issues. As part of a continued effort to address the issue, The Quint is focusing on raising awareness and mobilising support. This article was first published on 5 April 2017.)

Another day, another suicide. A mental health crisis is enveloping India as we speak – a crisis that is made worse by stigma, and a crippling lack of adequate mental healthcare infrastructure.

While a few steps have been taken to address this issue, the efforts are no where near enough.

The Parliament’s nod for the revamped Mental Healthcare Bill is a positive step, as is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s move to initiate a conversation about depression, during his monthly radio address. Despite these efforts, the ground reality paints a shocking and bleak picture. It is a harsh reminder of how the nation is still a long way off from effectively combating mental illness.

Here’s a look at India’s mental healthcare crisis in numbers.

As individuals, it is our responsibility to work towards eliminating the stigma and creating a support system for the afflicted. On the other hand, it is the government’s responsibility to increase spending in order to enhance mental healthcare.

Dr Ala Alwan, Assistant Director-General of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health at WHO, explains:

Also Read: Dancing in the Dark: Of Suicidal Urges, Medication & Therapy

(If you want to talk about your mental health issue to a counsellor, call the helpline number 18602662345, it’s toll-free and managed by the Vandrevala Foundation, one of India’s most reputed NGOs for psychiatric ailments.)

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