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Published on: Oct 03, 2025
2 minute read
By: Secondmedic Expert

Mental Health In India: Breaking The Silence

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Mental health has long been a neglected aspect of healthcare in India. While conversations around diabetes, cancer, or heart disease are open, discussions about depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder often happen in whispers, if at all. This silence is costly.

According to a 2017 Lancet Psychiatry study, nearly 197 million Indians suffer from mental health disorders. That’s one in every seven people. Yet, less than 30% receive professional treatment, leaving millions untreated or undertreated.

The Barriers We Face

The challenges are both cultural and structural.

Stigma & Myths – Many still view mental illness as a weakness or something to be hidden.
Shortage of Professionals – India has fewer than 1 psychiatrist for every 100,000 people, far below WHO recommendations.
Infrastructure Gaps – Mental health services are concentrated in metro cities, leaving rural India underserved.
Affordability – Private therapy can be expensive, while government facilities remain limited.

Progress and Initiatives

Despite hurdles, progress is visible.

The National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) works to integrate mental health into primary healthcare.
In 2022, the government launched Tele-MANAS, a national tele-mental health helpline, making counseling more accessible.
Non-profits and awareness campaigns like #It’sOkayToTalk and Mental Health India Alliance are helping reduce stigma.
Schools and workplaces are beginning to include counseling and stress-management workshops.

The Digital Shift

The pandemic was a turning point. Lockdowns, isolation, and job losses worsened mental health issues—but they also accelerated the use of digital platforms. Today, many Indians are turning to online therapy and telepsychiatry for confidential, stigma-free support.

Platforms like SecondMedic integrate mental health with overall care, offering:

Tele-counseling with psychologists and psychiatrists
Diagnostics & lab tests to rule out underlying causes like thyroid or vitamin deficiencies
Medicine delivery for long-term management
Second opinions from specialists when needed

This model ensures patients don’t just talk about symptoms but get holistic, medical + psychological care.

Conclusion

Mental health in India is at a crossroads. On one side are stigma, silence, and lack of resources. On the other side are rising awareness, digital health solutions, and government support. Bridging the gap requires collective effort—individuals opening up, families supporting without judgment, policies scaling access, and platforms like SecondMedic offering integrated care.

Mental health is health. And the sooner India treats it that way, the stronger our communities will be.

Book a confidential mental health consultation with SecondMedic today ? https://www.secondmedic.com

Numbers and Platforms That Matter

197 million Indians live with mental disorders (Lancet Psychiatry, 2017).
The treatment gap is more than 70% in India.
Tele-MANAS Helpline launched in 2022 offers free counseling nationwide (mohfw.gov.in).
National Mental Health Survey (2016, NIMHANS) provides prevalence data across states (nimhans.ac.in).
NITI Aayog Health Reports highlight workforce shortages and mental health burden (niti.gov.in).

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Read FAQs

A. According to the Lancet study (2017), about 197 million Indians live with mental disorders—roughly 1 in 7 people.

A. Stigma, lack of trained professionals, limited infrastructure, and affordability remain the biggest hurdles.

A. Yes. The National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) and Tele-MANAS (2022) aim to expand counseling and telepsychiatry services across states.

A. Online counseling and telepsychiatry platforms like SecondMedic allow people to consult doctors and therapists confidentially, reducing stigma barriers.

A. Prioritize sleep, balanced diet, physical activity, stress-management practices like yoga and meditation, and seek professional support when needed.

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Top Foods to Boost Immunity

Your immune system is like an army that defends your body daily. To perform well, it needs fuel—nutrients, antioxidants, and support from what you eat and how you live. While no single food is a magic bullet, consistently including immunity-friendly foods gives your body a better chance to fend off infections and recover faster.

What Makes a Food “Immune-Boosting”?

Foods that help immunity generally share these qualities:

Rich in vitamins (C, A, E, D)
Contain minerals / trace elements (zinc, selenium, magnesium)
Antioxidants & polyphenols that reduce oxidative stress
Anti-inflammatory compounds
Prebiotics / probiotics for gut health

A 2023 review identified foods like milk, eggs, fruits, leafy greens, and spices (onion, garlic, turmeric) as having immune-supportive potential. PubMed Another study highlights nuts, citrus, leafy vegetables, garlic, ginger, and avocado among natural immunity builders. BioMed Central

Top Foods to Include

Citrus Fruits & Amla

Oranges, lemons, guava, and most notably amla (Indian gooseberry) are powerhouses of vitamin C and antioxidants. They help boost white blood cell function and limit oxidative damage.

Leafy Greens & Colorful Veggies

Spinach, broccoli, kale, bell peppers, carrots—these provide vitamins A, E, beta-carotene, and fiber. They help maintain healthy mucosal barriers and support detox pathways.

Garlic, Ginger & Spices

Garlic has sulfur compounds like allicin with antibacterial and immune benefits. Ginger, turmeric, black pepper are anti-inflammatory and support healthy immune response. Indian cooking often blends these spices, amplifying their benefits. PMC+1

Nuts & Seeds

Almonds, walnuts, flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds are sources of healthy fats, vitamin E, zinc—all essential for immune cell membranes and function.

Yogurt & Fermented Foods

A large portion of immune cells reside in the gut. Probiotics in yogurt, curd, fermented dosa/idli batter support a healthy microbiome, which in turn helps regulate immune responses.

Lean Protein, Eggs & Dairy

Proteins provide building blocks (amino acids) for antibodies and immune cells. Eggs, lean meat, dairy, legumes are good picks.

Other Helpers

Moringa leaves (rich in A, C, iron)
Citrus peel and herbs in soups or teas
Green tea—polyphenols support immune regulation

Tips to Use These Foods Smartly

Balanced plate: Combine protein + veggies + healthy fat
Use spices liberally but moderately
Raw + cooked: Some nutrients become bioavailable after light cooking
Hydrate well: Water and mild herbal teas help immune function
Avoid extremes: Too much of one nutrient doesn’t always help
Rotate your choices: Eat a variety of foods to cover more nutrients

Conclusion

Your diet is one of the strongest tools you carry in your daily life to support your immunity. Including a spectrum of fruits, vegetables, spices, nuts, probiotics, and lean proteins routinely gives your immune system a stronger foundation. But it’s not just about food—sleep, stress management, exercise, and avoiding harmful habits matter too.

Keep building your diet as a “shield,” not a “cure.” Real immunity comes through consistent nourishment, rest, and care.

Useful Studies & Platforms

“Common Foods for Boosting Human Immunity: A Review” (2023) – identifies milk, eggs, fruits, leafy greens, spices as immune-supportive. PubMed
“Immune-boosting functional components of natural foods” – coverage of almonds, citrus, garlic, ginger, avocado, etc. BioMed Central
Significance of conventional Indian foods – Indian culinary practices and seeds (coriander, mustard) contain selenium and immune-helping compounds. PMC

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