Can Therapy be scaled to solve the needs of the Indian population?
India is making strides in mental health awareness, but scaling therapy to meet the needs of the huge population remains a challenge.
💰 High Costs and Accessibility
Therapy remains out of reach for many. Private sessions can cost between ₹1,000 to ₹2,500 per session, unaffordable for most. Public mental health services are underfunded and overwhelmed. Rural areas, in particular, suffer from limited access to mental health infrastructure.
🔍 Possible Solutions
Countries like the UK have implemented community mental health hubs, providing accessible, low-cost therapy with the support of trained lay counselors. Similarly, teletherapy platforms in the US have made therapy more affordable and available to rural communities through virtual consultations. India has already started using these approaches, scaling these approaches could significantly improve access.
⏳ The One-on-One Nature of Therapy
Therapy is an intensely personal, one-on-one process, making it hard to scale. Group therapy and online platforms are growing, but they can't fully replicate the deep connection and personalized care of individual sessions.
🔍 Possible Solutions
Group therapy models used in South Africa have shown success in reaching larger populations while maintaining therapeutic impact. Additionally, online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) programs, as seen in Australia, can offer self-guided mental health support for less severe issues, freeing up therapists to focus on more complex cases.
To address India’s mental health needs, we need innovative, cost-effective models, community-based care, and technology-driven solutions—along with continued efforts to reduce stigma and improve access.
How do you think we can reach out to everyone that needs help?
#MentalHealthMatters#MentalHealthIndia#TherapyAwareness#HealthcareInnovation#GlobalSolutions#Teletherapy#Psychology#AccessToCare
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Mental health is a major concern worldwide and India is not far behind in sharing this. If we evaluate developments in the field of mental health, the pace appears to be slow. Dr. Brock Chisholm, the first Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), in 1954, had presciently declared that “without mental health there can be no true physical health.”[1] More than 60 years later, the scenario has not altered substantially. About 14% of the global burden of disease is attributed to neuropsychiatric disorders. The burden of mental disorders is likely to have been underestimated because of inadequate appreciation of the inter-play between mental illness and other health disorders.[2] There remain considerable issues of priority-setting based on the burden of health problems and of addressing inequalities in relation to determinants and solutions for health problems.
Progress in mental health service delivery has been slow in most low- and middle-income countries. Barriers include the existing public-health priorities and its influence on funding; challenges to delivery of mental health care in primary-care settings; the low numbers of those trained in mental health care; and the lack of mental health perspective in public-health leadership.[3] There have been numerous calls for invoking political will, for enhancing advocacy and for galvanizing community participation; all with scant improvement in outcomes.
Thus, it becomes now opportune to explore the paradigm of mental health awareness as a means of combating stigma, enhancing prevention, ensuring early recognition, and also stimulating simple and practical interventions within the community. Today there are opportunities in terms of growing acknowledgement of mental disorders as key targets of global health action, as well as of leveraging new technologies particularly internet, big data and cell phones in amplifying simple field interventions found successful in primary care and other echelons
👥OPEN DIALOGUE: How can we improve access to mental health services in rural areas?
👫🏻🛋️🌳✨
Kausal: It's amazing how different people's experiences with healthcare can be. I'm lucky to have access to great mental health services, but I know that's not the case for everyone.
Lakshmi: That's a big issue. Rural areas often face unique challenges when it comes to mental health care.
Kausal: What are some of those challenges?
Lakshmi: One of the biggest challenges is the lack of mental health professionals in rural areas. There's often a shortage of psychiatrists, psychologists, and counselors.
Kausal: That's true. And even if there are professionals available, they might be far away.
Lakshmi: Exactly. Distance can be a barrier for people in rural areas. Telehealth can help address this issue by allowing people to connect with therapists from remote locations.
Kausal: That's a great idea. Telehealth can make mental health care more accessible.
Lakshmi: Another challenge is the stigma associated with mental health in rural communities. People may be reluctant to seek help due to fear of judgment.
Kausal: That's a big problem. We need to break down the stigma and encourage people to seek help.
Lakshmi: Absolutely. Community outreach programs can help raise awareness and reduce stigma.
Kausal: And we need to ensure that mental health services are affordable and accessible to everyone.
Lakshmi: That's crucial. Government funding and subsidies can help make mental health care more affordable.
Kausal: Together, we can work to improve access to mental health services in rural areas.
Lakshmi: Absolutely. By addressing these challenges, we can ensure that everyone has the opportunity to receive the mental health care they need.
😃👫🏻🛋️🌳✨
#theconversation#mentalhealth#psychology#happy#healthy#learning
July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month! This month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health (OMH) is focusing on improving mental health outcomes for racial and ethnic minority and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities.
At Podimetrics we recognize the higher risk of diabetes-related amputations in Native American communities, impacting both physical and mental well-being. Our research aims to improve healthcare access and outcomes for these vulnerable populations.
Watch our video for insights into this challenge, and download our report at https://t.ly/LXwcC.
Together, let's advocate for health equity and prevent amputations. We stand with all communities in their journey toward better health and well-being. #MinorityMentalHealth#DiabetesCare#Podimetrics#HealthEquity#WeChooseHope#AmputationPrevention
Do you have challenges being alone? Learn helpful strategies with Counsellor and Psychotherapist Shifan Hu-Couble to counter your feelings of loneliness. Find out how counselling or psychotherapy can help.
In an era where mental health intersects profoundly with public health, new research in The Primary Care Companion reveals alarming links between social isolation and substance use disorders (SUD). With over 20 million Americans impacted by SUD, addressing social connections must become a priority in our marketing strategies. By targeting insights and interventions, we can elevate patient outcomes and drive impactful conversations. Let’s leverage these findings for better engagement and health initiatives. #HealthcareMarketing#MentalHealth#DataDrivenInsights
79% of Canadians would use mental-health services more if cost wasn’t a factor: survey
Nearly two-thirds (62.3 per cent) of Canadian employees rarely or never access mental-health services and more than three-quarters (78.6 per cent) say they’d access these services at least twice a year if cost wasn’t a factor, according to a new survey by Humi.
The survey, which polled nearly 650 employees, found roughly a quarter aspired to access mental-health services on a monthly basis (25 per cent) or on a bi-weekly basis (22.3 per cent). Meanwhile, six in 10 (60.8 per cent) said they don’t spend any money on mental-health services, while 11.5 per cent said they spend up to $2,500 per year, 7.1 per cent spend up to $1,000 per year, 8.1 per cent spend up to $500 per year and 6.4 per cent spend up to $250 per year.
https://lnkd.in/dRAsTRXF#mentalhealth#mentalhealthnews#psychotherapy#psychotherapist
Clearhead is pleased to announce our latest partnership with nib Group and their Toi Ora members. Together, we’re working towards making mental health support more accessible to eligible Toi Ora members and helping combat the health inequities that Māori face. nib offers a Mental Health Benefit of up to $2,000 per policy year under the Specialist Option that can be used to fund therapy 🌿
This support is crucial, because research from a 2018 government enquiry found that the prevalence of mental distress among Māori is almost 50% higher than among non-Māori, and Māori are 30% more likely than other ethnic groups to have their mental illness undiagnosed. The outcomes for Māori who access mental health services are poorer across a variety of measures and diagnoses.
We believe this disparity can be improved by creating frameworks like Toi Ora to provide accessible and reliable support to the people who need it, when they need it. Any rōpū Māori who have an existing nib Toi Ora Health Plan with Specialist Option can have claims raised to access our platform. This will grant you access to a wide range of therapy providers, a library of self-help resources, and our digital AI chatbot, to supply you with the tools you need to help improve your mental health. We have over 1000 therapists available, so you can find one that understands your needs and make the most of your sessions.
Toi Ora means, “the pinnacle of health.” With nib, we are pleased to offer our own sources of knowledge to help the community reach their pinnacle of health, so their hauora and holistic wellbeing can thrive.
If you'd like some more information, please email [email protected], or don’t hesitate to contact [email protected] if you need help with the booking process.
#nib#clearhead#Māorimentalhealth#Māorimentalhealthmatters#eap#mentalhealthbenefit#toiora#hauora
Applauding the vital role of Mental Health NGOs in India!
Mental health remains a crucial but often neglected aspect of overall well-being in India. However, mental health non-governmental organizations (MHNGOs) are making significant strides in bridging the gap.
These organizations have evolved over time, becoming more professional, diversely funded, and increasingly secular in their approach. Despite ongoing challenges, especially in rural areas, MHNGOs have achieved remarkable progress, particularly in urban centers.
Mental health has long carried a heavy stigma in India, leading to inadequate awareness, underdiagnosis, and a lack of accessible treatment. NGOs dedicated to mental health are pivotal in addressing these obstacles and improving the well-being of countless individuals across the nation.
The Landscape of Mental Health Challenges in India
Staggering Statistics: A 2023 survey of 787 north Indian medical students found that 37.2% had suicidal ideation, 10.9% had suicide plans, and 3.3% had suicide attempts. The percentage of distressed youth increased from 46% in 2020 to over 50% in 2021, 2022, and 2023. About 200 million people in India have mental health-related problems like depression or anxiety.
Barriers to Care: The key factors hindering access to mental healthcare, including stigma, low awareness, shortage of professionals, and financial constraints.
Key Areas of Focus for Mental Health NGOs
Raising Awareness: NGOs conduct extensive campaigns to dispel myths and destigmatize mental health issues. They educate communities about the symptoms and signs of various mental health conditions, encouraging people to seek help.
Providing Accessible Treatment: Mental health NGOs often offer low-cost or free counseling, therapy, support groups, and sometimes even medication to those who might otherwise not be able to access these services.
Training and Capacity Building: NGOs train community health workers, teachers, and other frontline workers in mental health first aid. This equips individuals to identify early signs of mental distress and support those in need.
Advocating for Mental Health Rights: India's Mental Healthcare Act of 2017 progressively addressed the rights of those with mental illness. Many NGOs continue to advocate for full implementation and enforcement of this act, and push for stronger policy changes to ensure mental health parity with physical health.
Addressing Specific Need Areas: NGOs increasingly specialize in areas like suicide prevention, support for those with severe mental illness, care for children and adolescents, and catering to specific populations often marginalized like those in the LGBTQIA+ community.
We can learn more about mental health and offer support in the following ways:
>> Volunteering for local mental health NGOs
>> Donating to support their causes
>> Sharing information on social media to raise awareness
>> Being an advocate for mental health in their own communities
Clinical Psychologist & Researcher | Former Clinical Psychologist NIMHANS, Bengaluru | M.Phil. Clinical Psychology (LGBRIMH, Tezpur, Assam) | Rajasthan State Coord. Of Neuro and Biofeedback Society India (NABS).
Meet a brother-sister duo transforming mental healthcare in India!
When COVID-19 struck and mental health crisis peaked by 25%, Abhineet K. and Dr. Ritika Sinha saw an opportunity to make a difference.
What started as a volunteer platform helping 4,000 people in just 2-3 weeks has now evolved into something extraordinary.
This realization led them to officially launch Rocket Health 🚀 in December 2021. The platform was designed with a specific vision - to break down barriers to accessing mental healthcare.
The numbers tell a powerful story:
👉 65+ certified psychologists and healthcare professionals
👉 11,000+ paid users
👉 2,800 monthly therapy sessions
👉 25% month-over-month growth
But here's what makes Rocket Health truly special. Their platform breaks barriers by offering:
✅ Virtual therapy and psychiatry sessions
✅ Couples counseling
✅ Sexual healthcare therapy
✅ ADHD support
✅ Mental health assessments
The impact?
They're reaching where it matters most - 50% of their users come from tier 2 and tier 3 cities, making mental healthcare accessible to those who need it most.
Why this matters now more than ever: In India, 33% of men face depression and 30% of women battle anxiety. Yet, we have only 0.75 psychiatrists per 100,000 people.
Dr. Ritika's vision? Create a judgment-free, inclusive space where seeking help isn't taboo.
As Dr. Ritika puts it, "You never know what might happen—the right therapist could change your life or the life of a loved one."
From a pandemic response to a mental health revolution - this is how you #CancelStigma!
Like if you believe mental health support should be accessible to everyone. Comment "🙌" if you're inspired by their journey.
#MentalHealthMatters#StartupIndia#Healthcare#Innovation#Journey#inspiration#Successstory
