Mental Health in India: Breaking the Stigma in 2026
One in seven Indians suffers from a mental health condition, yet fewer than 30% seek treatment. We explore why the stigma persists and what's changing.
Dr. Kavya Menon
Psychiatrist, NIMHANS Bangalore
India is the world's largest producer of generic medicines, yet most Indians pay branded prices for the same molecules. The difference can be staggering — a strip of Atorvastatin 10mg costs ₹15 at a Jan Aushadhi store versus ₹60 at a branded pharmacy.
Generic medicines are bioequivalent to their branded counterparts. They must pass the same efficacy and safety standards set by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). The only difference is the name on the box — and the price.
The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) has set up over 10,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras across India selling generic medicines at government-regulated prices. You can find your nearest store on the PMBJP portal.
Why don't doctors prescribe generics? A 2023 IMA survey found that 68% of doctors cited lack of quality assurance information as the primary reason. However, CDSCO-approved generics undergo the same testing as branded drugs. Asking your doctor to prescribe by generic name (INN) rather than brand name is your right under the Medical Council of India guidelines.
When buying generics, always check for the CDSCO approval number on the packaging, verify the manufacturing date and expiry, and purchase from a licensed pharmacy. Dawaai's price comparator shows you both generic and branded options side by side so you can make an informed choice.
When your doctor says your blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg, what does that actually mean? The first number (systolic) is the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats. The second (diastolic) is the pressure when your heart rests between beats.
According to the American Heart Association and Indian guidelines, a reading below 120/80 mmHg is considered normal. Readings between 120-129 systolic with less than 80 diastolic are classified as elevated. Stage 1 hypertension begins at 130/80 mmHg.
Hypertension affects approximately 220 million Indians — nearly 30% of the adult population. Yet only half of those affected are aware of their condition, and fewer than 15% have it under control. This 'silent killer' rarely causes symptoms until serious damage has occurred.
Lifestyle modifications can significantly reduce blood pressure. The DASH diet (rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy), reducing sodium intake to less than 2,300mg per day, regular aerobic exercise for 30 minutes most days, limiting alcohol, and quitting smoking can collectively lower systolic pressure by 10-20 mmHg.
If lifestyle changes aren't enough, your doctor may prescribe medication. Common first-line drugs in India include Amlodipine, Telmisartan, and Hydrochlorothiazide — all available as affordable generics. Regular monitoring at home with a validated digital sphygmomanometer is recommended for anyone on antihypertensive therapy.
India overtook China in 2023 to become the country with the highest number of diabetics globally. With 101 million people living with type 2 diabetes and another 136 million in the pre-diabetic range, the scale of the challenge is immense.
Type 2 diabetes develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn't produce enough. Unlike type 1, it is largely preventable and manageable through lifestyle changes. The Indian phenotype — characterised by higher visceral fat at lower BMI — means Indians develop diabetes at lower body weights than Western populations.
The cornerstone of management is diet. The Indian Council of Medical Research recommends a diet where 50-60% of calories come from complex carbohydrates (millets, brown rice, whole wheat), 15-20% from protein, and less than 30% from fat. Portion control and meal timing are as important as food choice.
Metformin remains the first-line medication and is available as an affordable generic for as little as ₹12 per strip at Jan Aushadhi stores. Newer drug classes like SGLT2 inhibitors (Dapagliflozin, Empagliflozin) and GLP-1 agonists have shown cardiovascular and renal benefits but are significantly more expensive.
Self-monitoring of blood glucose is essential. Target fasting glucose of 80-130 mg/dL and post-meal glucose below 180 mg/dL are standard goals. HbA1c — a 3-month average — should be below 7% for most patients. Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) are now available in India at ₹2,000-4,000 per sensor.
The 2021 National Mental Health Survey estimated that 197 million Indians — roughly one in seven — live with a mental health condition. Depression and anxiety disorders are the most common, followed by substance use disorders. Yet India has only 0.3 psychiatrists per 100,000 population, compared to the WHO recommendation of 3 per 100,000.
The treatment gap — the difference between those who need care and those who receive it — stands at 70-80% for most mental health conditions in India. Cultural factors play a significant role: mental illness is often attributed to supernatural causes, personal weakness, or family karma, making help-seeking feel shameful.
The Mental Healthcare Act 2017 was a landmark step, recognising the right to mental healthcare and decriminalising suicide attempts. The Ayushman Bharat scheme now covers mental health treatment at empanelled hospitals. Tele-MANAS, launched in 2022, provides free 24/7 mental health counselling via a national helpline (14416).
Digital mental health platforms have grown significantly. Apps like iCall, YourDOST, and Vandrevala Foundation offer affordable or free counselling. However, quality varies widely and these should complement, not replace, professional care for moderate to severe conditions.
If you or someone you know is struggling, the first step is speaking to a general physician who can provide a referral. Common medications for depression and anxiety — SSRIs like Escitalopram and Sertraline — are available as generics for under ₹50 per strip. Recovery is possible, and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
India's traditional medicine systems — Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH) — are used by an estimated 65% of the population, often alongside conventional medicines. This concurrent use creates both opportunities and risks that patients and doctors need to understand.
Several Ayurvedic compounds have demonstrated efficacy in rigorous clinical trials. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) has shown benefits for stress and anxiety in multiple RCTs. Boswellia serrata extracts have anti-inflammatory properties comparable to NSAIDs. Berberine, found in several Ayurvedic herbs, has demonstrated blood sugar lowering effects.
However, herb-drug interactions are a real and underappreciated risk. Ashwagandha can potentiate sedatives and thyroid medications. Triphala may affect anticoagulant therapy. Heavy metal contamination in some traditional preparations remains a concern despite AYUSH Ministry regulations.
The key principle of integrative medicine is transparency. Always inform all your healthcare providers — both conventional and traditional — about every substance you're taking. Never stop prescribed medications to try herbal alternatives without medical supervision.
AIIMS Delhi and several other major hospitals now have integrative medicine departments where patients can receive evidence-based traditional treatments alongside conventional care. This model — rigorous, transparent, and patient-centred — represents the future of healthcare in India.
India's drug pricing is governed by the Drug Price Control Order (DPCO) 2013, administered by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA). The DPCO sets ceiling prices for medicines listed in the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) — currently around 384 formulations.
For NLEM medicines, manufacturers cannot charge more than the ceiling price set by NPPA. These prices are calculated based on the simple average of all brands with more than 1% market share. This has led to significant price reductions — cardiac stents, for example, saw prices drop by up to 85% after being brought under price control in 2017.
However, the majority of medicines sold in India — estimated at over 60,000 formulations — are not on the NLEM and therefore not subject to price control. For these, manufacturers can charge whatever the market will bear, subject only to a 10% annual price increase cap.
Trade margins are another significant factor. Retailers typically earn 20% margin, distributors 10-15%, and stockists 8-10%. These margins are added on top of the manufacturer's price, which is why the same drug can vary significantly in price between pharmacies.
As a consumer, you have the right to ask for the MRP (Maximum Retail Price) printed on the packaging — no pharmacy can charge above this. You also have the right to ask for generic alternatives. Dawaai's comparator shows you the full price range across pharmacies so you can exercise these rights effectively.
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