Practitioner's reflection on mental health in India

Abstract

This dissertation focuses on the state of mental health in India and the various aspects leading to its growth and depreciation from the outlook of Indian practitioners. Over the years, India has developed religious myths, societal stigmas, and ignorance around mental health, causing a spike in psychological disorders while the mental health care system suffers due to these embedded notions. This study aims to analyse this imbalance of psychological care and mental health patients by addressing the role of government, society, credibility of the mental health professionals, the educational sector, and social media.

Using a qualitative approach, this paper recruited seven mental health practitioners and conducted semi-structured interviews to inspect their first-hand experiences and insights on the subject. Thematic analysis was applied to interpret the collected data and attain themes and sub-themes which satisfy the research questions. The participant’s contributions and perspectives provided a deeper understanding of why there is an immense lack of awareness around mental health in India by addressing issues of accessibility, stigmatisation, societal pressures, mental health illiteracy, cultural dominance, and inadequate support from the government.

The findings of this paper suggested the scope of psychology in India and how the country could overcome its barriers to achieve productive and better mental care facilities. The 2019 Coronavirus pandemic was recognised as a constructive and positive moment as it changed the negative opinions on mental health in India. The paper also statistically and evidently investigated the demand for mental health aid in India and correlated it to Western advancement in diagnosing and treating mental disabilities. It emphasised on need for mental health education especially in schools. The evidence and research provided this paper with the false beliefs to do away with and the future implications for creating a safer space for the mentally ill.