The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare noted India contributes to 18% of the global population, and as per the World Health Organization (WHO), the burden of mental health problems in India is 2433 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) per 10000 population. The age-adjusted suicide rate is per 21.1 per 100000 population, and the economic loss between 2012-2030 is estimated at USD 1.03 trillion. Another study published in 2024 in Cureus, quotes a previous study from early 2021 by UNICEF and Gallup that reveals that children in India were hesitant seeking help for mental health. According to another 2024 study, the prevalence rate of mental health issues in children and teenagers in India was determined to be 23.33% in school and 6.46% in the community. The National Mental Health Survey 2016 also found that teenagers had a 7.3% prevalence of illness, distributed equally across boys and girls. However, it was greater in metropolitan metro areas, and the prevalence of anxiety issues was 3.6%, with depression-related conditions at 0.8%What Is India Doing To Tackle The Mental Health Problem?While the challenges remain, the government has taken several initiatives to tackle mental health issues. It was especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when mental health problems rose in India, as a result the government set up a 24/7 helpline to provide psychosocial support, by mental health professionals, to the entire affected population, divided into different target groups viz children, adult, elderly, women and healthcare workers. Till date a total of 5,77,743 calls have been received on the helpline.Furthermore, as part of the National Mental Health Programme, in 2024, 25 Centres of Excellence were sanctioned set up to train more postgraduate students in mental health and provide advanced treatment. 47 postgraduate departments in mental health were also established or upgraded in 19 government colleges. Mental health services were also introduced in 22 newly established AIIMS.Read: India Health Summit 2025 | How India Is Bringing Innovation And Accessibility To Advance Cancer CareWhy Is India's Youth Struggling?A 2025 study published in the International Journal of Indian Psychology notes certain risk factors due to which the Indian youth is struggling with mental health issues:Family Environment and Parenting Style: Dysfunctional family dynamics lead to poor mental health outcomes in Indian youthSubstance Use and Peer Influence: Interaction with antisocial peers can lead to substance abuse and further lead to depressionAcademic Pressure and Performance Anxiety: There is intense pressure to perform in academics, and the parental expectation that leads to risk of depression in youthSocioeconomic Status: Youth from financially disadvantaged families face higher risks of depression and anxiety due to income struggles and financial stressViolence, Abuse, and Trauma: Exposure to physical or sexual abuse significantly increases the likelihood of depression and anxiety in young peopleGender, Identity, and Relationship Issues: Struggles with gender, sexuality, or relationships heighten vulnerability to mental health crises, often worsened by stigma and isolationUrban vs. Rural Settings: Urban youth report more mental health disorders than rural youth, linked to academic pressure, social isolation, and weaker family supportPandemic-Related Stress: The COVID-19 pandemic intensified depressive symptoms among students, with women disproportionately affected due to added household burdens and limited social interaction.What More Can Be Done To Make Indian Youth Mentally Fit And Healthier?While there have been initiatives by the government to make mental health more accessible, there still exists a gap between the ratio of mental health experts and those who need it. Furthermore, there is a huge gap of accessibility between rural and urban areas. To understand how can one solve this, the upcoming Times Now Health Summit is hosting a session on Youth and Mental Health: Coping in the Age of Pressure and making India Fitter and Healthier. The session will feature experts from across various fields, including healthcare experts and mental health advocates. The panel will feature Mayank Srivastava(IPS), Deputy Director General, Major Gen(Retd.) Vikram Dev Dogra, Dr. Praveen Gupta, Chairman, Marengo Asia International Institute of Neuro & Spine (MAIINS), Gurugram, and actress Pooja Bedi. For more details, visit TIMES NETWORK INDIA HEALTH SUMMIT 2025.