Every year, World Mental Health Day reminds us to pause and reflect — not just to talk about mental health, but to take action on it. The 2025 theme, “Mental Health in Humanitarian Emergencies,” feels especially relevant in a world marked by constant upheaval. From floods and conflicts to displacement and social fragmentation, crises are multiplying — and with them, the silent crisis of mental health is deepening.
A Reality Check
Across the world, over one billion people live with a mental health disorder, and suicide now accounts for one in every hundred deaths. In India, nearly 13.7 per cent of the population is estimated to experience mental health issues in their lifetime. Yet, despite growing awareness, a staggering 70 to 92 per cent of those in need never receive adequate care.
The reasons are complex. Stigma still silences many, mental health professionals are too few, and health systems continue to treat mental wellness as a secondary concern. India, for instance, has only 0.75 psychiatrists per 100,000 people, far below the global average, and this shortage is particularly acute in rural and underserved areas.
The New Stressors
Our stressors have undergone significant changes in recent years. Beyond traditional triggers like trauma or grief, we now face a new generation of psychological burdens — digital overload, social isolation, economic uncertainty, and climate anxiety. The lingering effects of the pandemic continue to amplify fatigue, burnout, and disconnection. Each of these pressures quietly erodes our collective resilience, often without immediate visibility.
The Gaps That Hold Us Back
Even as conversations about mental health become more open, three persistent gaps keep progress slow. The first is access — most services remain concentrated in cities, leaving rural and marginalised populations unsupported. The second is stigma — deep-rooted cultural beliefs often equate emotional distress with weakness, discouraging people from seeking help. The third is integration — mental health continues to be siloed from physical health, despite the clear and proven connection between the two.
Building a Better Response
Fixing this crisis requires more than public campaigns or annual observances. It demands systemic reform and shared responsibility. Mental health care must be woven into the fabric of our primary health systems, schools, and workplaces.
Technology can play a transformative role in this area. Initiatives such as Tele-MANAS (14416) are already showing what’s possible — offering multilingual, 24×7 tele-counselling across India. Similarly, training teachers, ASHA workers, and community volunteers as first responders for mental distress can build localised, scalable safety nets. And equally important, we must normalise conversations about mental health in families, workplaces, and communities. Every open dialogue weakens the stigma that has persisted for generations.
During humanitarian crises — whether triggered by natural disasters, pandemics, or conflict — mental health support must be recognised as essential. Psychological first aid and trauma counselling should be built into emergency response plans from day one, not introduced as an afterthought.
Where to Find Help
If you or someone you know is struggling, please remember that help is available — and accessible. In India, the Tele-MANAS helpline (14416) offers free, confidential mental health support in multiple languages, available 24/7. The KIRAN Helpline (1800-599-0019) and the Vandrevala Foundation Helpline (+91-9999 666 555) offer counselling and crisis intervention. The NIMHANS Helpline (080-46110007) connects callers to trained professionals for emotional assistance.
For global readers, services such as the Crisis Text Line (text “HOME” to 741741) and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US) are available for immediate, free support.
The Bottom Line
Mental health is not a luxury or an abstract policy issue — it is a core pillar of health, productivity, and resilience. As the World Health Organisation rightly reminds us,
“There is no health without mental health.”
The time has come to move beyond awareness and build systems that make mental well-being accessible, affordable, and stigma-free for everyone. Because in every emergency — personal or global — our mental resilience determines how we recover, rebuild, and rise.
