Despite growing awareness around mental health and advances in treatment, an overwhelming majority of Indians living with psychiatric disorders continue to remain outside the formal healthcare system.

The Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS) has raised serious concern that nearly 80 to 85 per cent of people suffering from mental illness in the country do not receive timely or adequate care, a gap that experts describe as one of the widest in the world.

The issue was brought into sharp focus during the curtain raiser event of the 77th Annual National Conference of the Indian Psychiatric Society (ANCIPS 2026), scheduled to be held from January 28 to 31 at Yashobhoomi in Delhi. Mental health professionals warned that untreated psychiatric illness is silently evolving into a major public health crisis, with deep social and economic consequences.

Data from the National Mental Health Survey paint a grim picture, showing that more than 85 per cent of Indians with common mental disorders either do not seek or do not receive professional treatment.

Globally, over 70 per cent of individuals with mental illness fail to access care from trained professionals, but the situation is particularly alarming in low- and middle-income countries like India, where fewer than 10 per cent of those in need receive appropriate treatment in many regions.

Addressing the gathering, IPS President Dr. Savita Malhotra stressed that mental illnesses are among the most treatable health conditions when identified early, yet stigma and systemic gaps continue to prevent people from seeking help.

“Mental health disorders are highly treatable, yet the majority of patients in India continue to suffer in silence. The fact that over 80 per cent of people do not receive timely psychiatric care reflects deep-rooted stigma, lack of awareness, and poor integration of mental health services into primary healthcare. This is not just a medical concern; it is a social, economic, and developmental issue that requires urgent national attention,” she said.

Experts noted that delays in seeking psychiatric care often stretch from several months to years. Social stigma remains one of the strongest barriers, with individuals fearing judgment, discrimination, or social exclusion at home, workplaces, and within communities. Compounding this is widespread lack of awareness, where early warning signs of mental illness are frequently dismissed as stress, personal weakness, or temporary emotional phases rather than recognised as medical conditions requiring professional care.

Another major challenge is the severe shortage of trained mental health professionals across the country. India continues to face an acute deficit of psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, psychiatric social workers, and mental health nurses, especially in rural and semi-urban areas where access to services is minimal. This shortage further discourages help-seeking and disrupts continuity of care for those who do manage to enter the system.

Dr. Nimesh G. Desai, Chairperson of the Organising Committee of ANCIPS 2026 and former Director of the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), warned that delayed or absent treatment often leads to worsening and chronic illness. “When psychiatric care is delayed, the illness becomes more severe, resulting in increased disability, family distress, loss of productivity, and a significantly higher risk of self-harm and suicide. Mental health must be addressed with the same urgency as physical health. Strengthening community-based services, training primary care doctors, and improving referral systems are critical to bridging this unacceptable treatment gap,” he said.

The burden of untreated mental illness is particularly severe among vulnerable populations. Studies indicate that nearly 80 per cent of children and adolescents with diagnosable mental disorders in some regions receive no treatment at all, adversely affecting their education, emotional development, and future life outcomes. Among older adults, nearly 84 per cent with mental health conditions remain untreated, often due to neglect, social isolation, lack of awareness, or the mistaken belief that psychological symptoms are a normal part of ageing.

Mental health experts warned that the consequences of untreated psychiatric illness extend far beyond individuals and families. It contributes to rising substance use disorders, unemployment, family breakdown, and suicide. India already accounts for a significant share of global suicide deaths, making early identification and timely psychiatric intervention a critical public health priority.

Highlighting the role of the upcoming national conference, Dr. Deepak Raheja, Organising Secretary of ANCIPS Delhi and Director of Hope Care India, said that sustained systemic reforms are urgently needed. “Integration of mental health services into primary healthcare, higher budgetary allocation, expansion of the mental health workforce, and nationwide awareness campaigns are essential to reduce stigma and improve access. ANCIPS 2026 Delhi will bring together mental health professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders to develop practical, evidence-based solutions so that no individual is denied mental health support due to fear, stigma, or lack of resources,” he said.

While initiatives such as the Tele-MANAS national mental health helpline, the expansion of the District Mental Health Programme, and increased policy focus on mental well-being mark positive steps, IPS experts stressed that these efforts must be significantly scaled up to meet India’s growing mental health needs.

Reiterating its call to action, the Indian Psychiatric Society emphasized that closing the mental health treatment gap is essential for building a healthier, more productive, and compassionate nation. As India moves forward on its development path, mental health, experts said, must be recognised as an integral part of overall health—deserving the same priority, investment, and urgency as physical healthc.