India is witnessing a turning point in its approach to mental health. Long treated as a silent crisis,
mental health has now entered the centre of national policy discussions. The Union Budget 2026–27
signals what the Press Information Bureau calls a “decisive shift” in India’s mental health planning .
At a time when suicide rates and untreated disorders remain high, the government appears ready to
move from acknowledgement to action. According to recent data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), India records over 1.7 lakh suicide deaths annually, with young people (15–29 years) forming a particularly vulnerable group.
Suicide has emerged as one of the leading causes of death in several states. The scale of the crisis is
reinforced by national surveys showing that nearly 15% of adults require mental health intervention,
yet the treatment gap ranges from 70% to 92% . These figures underline the urgency of structural
reform.
The Union Budget 2026–27 introduces major institutional expansions. A second National Institute of
Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS-2) will be established in North India, addressing the
long-standing absence of a national-level mental health institute in that region . Modeled on
NIMHANS Bengaluru, it will focus on advanced treatment, research, and workforce training.
Additionally, premier institutes at Ranchi and Tezpur are being upgraded into Regional Apex
Institutions, strengthening tertiary level care and training capacity .Another transformative measure is the proposal to establish Emergency and Trauma Care Centres in every district hospital nationwide . This is significant because suicide attempts and acute psychiatric crises often require immediate intervention. Embedding mental health services within emergency infrastructure reflects a move toward integration rather than isolation of mental healthcare.Importantly, these steps build upon a broader legislative and programmatic foundation. The Mental
Healthcare Act, 2017 established access to mental health as a legal right. The National Mental Health
Programme (NMHP) and the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) have expanded coverage to
767 districts, emphasizing community-based care . The National Suicide Prevention Strategy (2022)
aims to reduce suicide mortality by 10% by 2030, focusing on high-risk groups such as students and
farmers.
Perhaps the most innovative reform is the National Tele Mental Health Programme (Tele-MANAS).
Launched in 2022 as a 24×7 toll-free helpline (14416), it provides free tele-counselling, teleconsultation, and referral services . Within two years, it handled over 14.7 lakh calls , and later
expanded to over 33 lakh calls as reported in the Budget explainer . Operating in multiple Indian
languages and supported by mentoring institutes and regional centres, Tele-MANAS demonstrates
how digital health can bridge geographical and financial barriers. The addition of video consultations
and a mobile app further strengthens its reach.
From a psychological perspective, these reforms reflect three critical shifts. First, there is movement
from custodial care toward community and rights-based care. Second, there is integration of mental
health into primary healthcare through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and insurance coverage under
PM-JAY . Third, technology is being used not as a replacement but as an extension of public health
services.
However, challenges remain. Infrastructure expansion must be matched by trained professionals,
sustained funding, and effective monitoring. India still faces a severe shortage of psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and psychiatric social workers. Reducing stigma and encouraging early help-seeking
will require consistent public awareness efforts beyond policy announcements.
In my view, the government’s recent measures mark a serious and commendable attempt to address
the mental health crisis. The emphasis on regional equity, suicide prevention, and digital outreach is
particularly promising. Yet the true success of these initiatives will depend on implementation at the
grassroots level. Mental health reform is not achieved merely by building institutions, but by
ensuring that every distressed individual can access compassionate, timely, and affordable care.
India has moved from silence to strategy. The coming years will determine whether this strategy
translates into sustained psychological well-being for millions.
