The prevalence of mental disorders in India is significantly high and is affecting a larger population than commonly estimated.

The prevalence of mental disorders in India is significantly high and is affecting a larger population than commonly estimated. The number has increased in the post-pandemic times; recent surveys by ICICI Lombard (2023) and Sapien Labs Centre for Human Brain and Mind (2023) have indicated that around 50-77% of Indians are struggling with mental health problems and facing at least one symptom of stress, anxiety or depression. According to the National Mental Health survey conducted in 2015-16, 10.6% of individuals in India suffered from mental disorders (MoHFW, 2025). Of this percentage, most individuals facing these challenges are the Gen-Z and Millennials who experience reduced productivity, high absenteeism at work/educational institutions, disability and costs for health care (MoHFW, 2025).

In 2016, this treatment gap was around 70-92% (MoHFW, 2025); this primarily is the result of stigma about mental disorders and the lack of availability of treatment facilities (Knaak et al., 2017). According to the 2024 economic survey, India has 0.75 psychiatrists per lakh population, which, according to the WHO guidelines, should ideally be 3 per lakh population (MoHFW, 2025). Certain measures have been taken, such as the National Tele Mental Health program that aims to provide counselling over phone calls and is operational across India, which has been allocated Rs. 79.60 crore of the union budget. There has been a considerable increase in the budgetary allocation towards the mental health sector in the current (2025) financial year as compared to last year (A. Singh, 2024; MoHFW, 2025). However, the historical underfunding has jeopardised the functionality of state-operated institutions and programs.

There are several barriers to accessing mental health care, the prominent one being a lack of awareness and education about symptoms. Additionally, optimal utilisation of treatment services is only possible by eradicating the stigma through sensitising mental health disorders by educating individuals at an early age and across all age groups about the common symptoms and making mental healthcare services and facilities accessible and affordable. Lack of facilities and overcrowding of underfunded state-operated health care institutions also add to the treatment gap. Furthermore, private institutions provide treatment at an exorbitant price that cannot be afforded and accessed by the majority of the population who belong to a lower socio-economic class.

Mass media can also be utilised as a medium in addressing the barriers to mental health care, particularly the stigma. Celebrities have a profound influence in shaping people’s opinions or views. A renowned celebrity like Deepika Padukone spoke about her struggle with depression and even started the Live Love Laugh foundation to help people with mental health-related problems. This move by Padukone created various discussions and debates about depression as a mental disorder. Popular GenZ sensation Billie Eilish also mentioned her struggles with depression in interviews (Choudhuri & Pereira, 2024). Celebrities opening up about mental health issues contributes to the reduction of stigma and motivates individuals to seek treatment for their problems and enhances their social support, which is an essential aspect of coping. However, at times, these celebrities have been ridiculed and trolled for opening up about their condition. Deepika Padukone was labelled as an “attention seeker”, and people also called it a consequence of her break-up. Additionally, in the late 1900s and early 2000s, mental health was a whispered secret within public conversations. A popular celebrity in the 90s, Parveen Babi had a possible diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia and experienced persecutory delusions, however, these claims were denied by Babi. She was eventually found to be deceased at her Mumbai home with a possible cause of organ failure (Kanetkar, 2024). Mental health being a taboo subject, Parveen Babi’s life story essentially was reduced to that of a “sensual seductress who died alone” (Prasad, 2024).

In today’s times, individuals are now aware of disorders like anxiety and depression; however, there are several other mental illnesses like schizophrenia, eating disorders and bipolar disorder which are often not spoken about or are misspoken. Bipolar disorder involves episodes of depression, i.e. low mood, too much sleep or insomnia, loss of appetite, anhedonia and mania that involves reckless behaviour, a euphoric state, inflated self-esteem/grandiosity and pressure of speech (APA, 2022).  The general awareness of bipolar disorder as a mental illness is low amongst individuals, which makes it challenging for the individual suffering from this disorder.

Much like other celebrities, Honey Singh, an eminent public icon in the music industry in India, also battled with a mental illness - bipolar disorder. In his recent Netflix-released documentary titled “Yo Yo Honey Singh: Famous”, Honey Singh talks about his journey as a self-made music artist with absolutely no family background in music. Throughout his documentary, he has emphasised the harrowing two years of experience of dealing with bipolar disorder and certain paranoid symptoms.

Honey Singh recalled his earlier days when he had become a popular media icon, having multiple concerts and shows within a few days. His overworking, lack of sleep and being away from his family lasted for an extensively long period; that was the time when he also started consuming large quantities of alcohol. He mentioned the time when he was in Chicago and about to go for a performance with Shah Rukh Khan. he started experiencing symptoms of suspiciousness and felt like if he went to perform, he would die. He refused to perform; however, his team forced him to the extent that he injured himself and got hospitalised to avoid performing. It was that pivotal moment when he realised that he was not well. He started having suicidal thoughts, used to stay in his room and felt an extreme sense of embarrassment that he had to sit at home while his father went to work. Singh highlighted specific thoughts and instances, such as interpreting his family gathered in his living room to be gathered for a death ceremony. Addressing the severity, cursing his condition, he stated he experienced “hell” as even small instances like the domestic worker wiping the floor of his room seemed to him that she was wiping off blood.

He spent two years in isolation from the media, fearing death every day. In his documentary, he mentions the support of his family, and the treatment helped him get back the courage to be back in the music industry when he released a new single, “Makhna”, in 2019. He also mentioned that the discrepancy between his current and previous appearance also resulted in his trolling based on his body (Singh, 2024).

In the documentary, Honey Singh also mentions the importance of family support, who constantly contributed to improving his condition. His sister, Sneha, specifically mentioned that they were not aware of this disorder; it was when Singh started to experience the symptoms that they educated themselves about this. Towards the end of the documentary, Honey Singh shares his current lifestyle, where he has quit drinking, is exercising regularly and is taking up performances and shows at a slower pace than before. Interestingly, the documentary also indirectly gazes at the hustle culture that is being extensively incorporated in occupational settings, whether in the film/music industry or the corporate sector.

In conclusion, mental illnesses are much more prevalent than their reported statistics. There are always situations when a lack of information about certain disorders is further misinterpreted. Many individuals might not be informed about disorders such as bipolar disorder, making them difficult to identify or seek treatment for. As a society, we have a very long way to go, but being informed, kind and open to learning and change is a good start.

Authors: Rujula Talloo, Undergraduate Student, FLAME University & Prof. Moitrayee Das, Faculty of Psychology, FLAME University.