The Hidden Costs of Ignoring Mental Health

For the first time in its history, India’s Economic Survey 2023–24 sounded a loud and urgent alarm—not about inflation or fiscal deficits, but about the state of mental health issues. Alongside growth projections and fiscal indicators was a powerful statement: mental health is no longer just a personal issue—it’s a national economic priority.

Why would an economic document zoom in on something so personal? Because the numbers speak volumes.

Mental health issues affect nearly 15% of Indians, according to a July 2023 study by the National Library of Medicine. And of those who suffer, a staggering 70% to 92% receive no treatment—held back by stigma, lack of awareness, and a glaring shortage of professionals.

Sadly, mental issues are plaguing our youth too. The Economic Survey revealed (based on NCERT findings)  since the pandemic there has been a surge in adolescent distress: 11% report constant anxiety, 14% feel overwhelmed by emotions, and 43% suffer from frequent mood swings.

The message is clear. We can’t afford to sweep mental health under the rug any longer.

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What is Mental Health, and Why Should You Care?

Good mental health is not just about the absence of a mental illness; it’s about having the ability to handle stress, work under pressure, and make decisions. Just like your physical health, mental health also requires regular care.

When you ignore your mental health, even minor emotional issues can lead to serious challenges like burnout, anxiety, and depression.

Mental health is your life’s invisible operating system. While you can’t always see it in action, it drives every aspect of your life, including your feelings, thoughts, choices, and interactions with others. Good mential health goes beyond just feeling happy; it entails feeling resilient, balanced, and authentic, especially during difficult times.

How Does Neglecting Mental Health Affect Various Stages of Life

• In young adulthood, untreated mental health challenges can impact decision-making, limit career opportunities and make building healthy relationships difficult.
• In one’s 30s-40s, the accumulated stress of unmanaged mental health problems can lead to burnout, strained marriages, and even chronic physical illness.
• As we get older, lifelong neglect of mental health can intensify feelings of loneliness, cognitive decline, and even raise the risk of dementia.

The Hidden Numbers

The National Mental Health Survey (NMHS) in India indicates that roughly 13.7% of the population has a lifetime prevalence of any mental morbidity, and 10.6% currently suffer from some form of mental illness. The survey also reveals that the prevalence of mental morbidity is higher in urban areas compared to rural areas. Specifically, the 30-49 age group shows the highest prevalence of psychiatric disorders.

Common mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety, are particularly prevalent, with nearly 1 in 40 individuals having experienced depression in the past and 1 in 20 experiencing on-going depression at the time of the study. 

Signs You Might be Struggling

Mental health challenges typically don’t appear suddenly; they build up gradually and can manifest as changes in both your mood and body. Some signs you might be struggling include:

• Constant sadness, tearfulness or emotional numbness
• Feeling hopeless, worthless, or like a burden
• Avoiding friends, family or social gatherings
• Becoming unusually quiet or distant
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Eating too much or too little
• Sudden weight loss or gain
• Difficulty focusing, remembering or making decisions, and
• Constant overthinking or racing thoughts.

 Common Causes of Poor Mental Health

Mental health struggles don’t always have one single cause. They are often the result of a mix of emotional, psychological, social and even physical factors. Understanding these causes can be the first step toward healing and self-care.

• Past experiences like bullying, emotional neglect or loss can quietly shape how we see ourselves and the world.
• Constant self-criticism or perfectionism can lead to chronic stress and anxiety.
• Replaying events, blaming yourself unnecessarily, or fearing judgment can drain your peace of mind.
• Unrealistic expectations and fear of failure, which are common in young professionals.
• Social media often adds pressure to match others' seemingly perfect lives, which increases anxiety and self-doubt.
• Late night scrolling, binge watching or irregular sleep cycles deplete emotional strength.
• Excessive screen time and constant notifications can over-stimulate the brain, leading to reduced mental clarity.

Types of Mental Health Conditions

With the right support, care and treatment, you may recover or learn to manage most mental health issues, effectively. But before that, you must flag the alarming issues. The most common types are mentioned below.

Mood Disorders

These involve disturbances in a person’s emotional state, such as persistent sadness, loss of interest, fatigue, hopelessness, or mood swings.

Examples - Depression, Bipolar Disorder and Cyclothymic Disorder

Anxiety

Excessive fear or worry that interferes with daily life, such as constant worry about your everyday tasks, sudden panic attacks, intense fear of social status or performance, or irrational fear of specific objects or situations.

Examples - Generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and phobias

Personality Disorders

Long-term patterns of unhealthy thinking, behaviour and functioning, like instability in emotions, self-image and relationships, inflated self-importance, need for admiration or lack of empathy.

Examples - Borderline Personality Disorder, Narcissistic Personality Disorder and Antisocial Personality Disorder

Psychotic Disorders

A mental health condition where a person experiences a loss of touch with reality, like hallucinations, delusions, disorganised speech or behaviour.

Examples - Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder

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Stay Mindful to Stay Mentally Well

If you, or someone you care about, overlooks symptoms of declining mental health due to a busy schedule, remember that neglecting such symptoms can actually reduce your productivity and negatively impact your efficiency.

To maintain good mental health, it’s important to maintain a balanced lifestyle that nurtures both the mind and the body. This includes getting enough sleep, eating nutritious meals, staying physically active, and taking breaks when needed. Managing stress through mindfulness, meditation, or simply spending time on activities you enjoy can significantly boost your mental well-being.

Staying connected with supportive friends and family, expressing your feelings, and seeking help when you feel overwhelmed are also key. Just like physical health, mental health also needs consistent care, so treat your mind with the same kindness and attention you would give your body.

Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India

(Advancing Mental Healthcare in India. Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 5:20PM)

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References: mohfw.gov.in, pib.gov.in, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Till then, share this article with the people you care about.

Stay informed, stay insured.

Team Care Health