Mental Health.
Cosmopolitan India|August 2018

Can We Talk About It, Please? 

Meghna Sharma
Mental Health.

According to a 2015 WHO study, titled Depression And Other Common Mental Disorders, over 5 crore Indians suffer from depression and over 3 crore have anxiety disorders. Another research by National Mental Health Survey ,states that over 15 crore people across India are in need of mental health care interventions—a staggering figure!

Statistics speak louder than words. Mental disorders are a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease. And even more so in India, given the stigma surrounding it. As a nation, we are under-equipped to handle mental health issues on such a large scale. “Currently, we have only 3,500 psychiatrists for millions of Indians suffering from mental illness. India specifically has over 300% shortage of psychologists. Until now, less than 1-2% of the health budget has been dedicated to mental health, in comparison to 10-12% in other countries,” says Dr Samir Parikh, Director, Department of Mental Health & Behavioural Sciences at Fortis Healthcare. But the bigger problem might be that we simply don’t want to talk about mental health, preferring to brush issues like anxiety, depression, and panic attacks under the ‘I’m okay’ carpet. Not only does that decrease the quality of life, but the reason it’s critical to talk about mental health is because it can save lives! “Spreading awareness about the importance of psychological health, just like physical health, will help reduce the stigma and the ignorance towards it,” says Delhi-based psychologist Harsheen K Arora.

But five courageous women, by sharing stories of their individual struggles, are helping us lift the veil and speak about mental health candidly. Here’s them telling us how they overcame their fears, and that you are not alone.

RICHA CHADHA, Actor

Denne historien er fra August 2018-utgaven av Cosmopolitan India.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra August 2018-utgaven av Cosmopolitan India.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA COSMOPOLITAN INDIASe alt
How To Survive The Awkward In-Between Stage Of Growing Out Your Hair
Cosmopolitan India

How To Survive The Awkward In-Between Stage Of Growing Out Your Hair

Never again will the threat of a halfway length leave us feeling trapped in a style.

time-read
2 mins  |
September- October 2024
Do You Know Why Beauty Trends Swing In Extremes?
Cosmopolitan India

Do You Know Why Beauty Trends Swing In Extremes?

We speak with make-up artists and content creators to find out if it’s just the dopamine rush of trying out something new or the fear of missing out in this hyper-connected world.

time-read
3 mins  |
September- October 2024
What's The Next Big Thing In Beauty And Wellness?
Cosmopolitan India

What's The Next Big Thing In Beauty And Wellness?

Charting the trends that have the potential to blossom into their fullest in 2025.

time-read
8 mins  |
September- October 2024
On our tech radar
Cosmopolitan India

On our tech radar

Let's take a look at the cool (latest) gadgets you should buy to be tech forward, shall we?

time-read
3 mins  |
September- October 2024
My seven minutes with Lily Collins
Cosmopolitan India

My seven minutes with Lily Collins

The Emily in Paris star on ie bold, her process, performing, and always being Team Emily.

time-read
5 mins  |
September- October 2024
Why are girls getting their period earlier?
Cosmopolitan India

Why are girls getting their period earlier?

Navigating puberty can be overwhelming (it's a LOT to handle!) especially when girls as young as seven are dealing with changes that could potentially have a big impact on their physical and psychological development.

time-read
8 mins  |
September- October 2024
All the deets on the coolest collaboration of 2024
Cosmopolitan India

All the deets on the coolest collaboration of 2024

Inside everything you need to know, and more!

time-read
3 mins  |
September- October 2024
Did someone say inner happy hour?
Cosmopolitan India

Did someone say inner happy hour?

Relish your cocktails along with our curated list of feel-good reads.

time-read
2 mins  |
September- October 2024
My guilty pleasure
Cosmopolitan India

My guilty pleasure

POV: Why watching cringe content on the Internet is my survival strategy.

time-read
3 mins  |
September- October 2024
Intermezzo, intervention
Cosmopolitan India

Intermezzo, intervention

Spoiler alert: In her latest, Sally Rooney yet again plays the therapist we didn’t realise we needed.

time-read
4 mins  |
September- October 2024