• 40% of the respondents said that for patients their immediate friends are their first contact person in such a scenario • More than 60% respondents shared that families are hesitant or opposed for their family member to take therapies/counseling due to lack of awareness, acceptance, and stigma

LISSUN, an end-to-end solution for mental and emotional health, has surveyed around 500+ General Physicians, Psychiatrists, Gynecologists, Nephrologists, and Psychologists with the vision to identify and inform the general masses regarding the mental health scenario in India.

The respondents who majorly hail from medical and healthcare background shared their observation in the current scenario through their responses to the survey, which revealed some hidden facts.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns about mental health have grown, and the report also suggests the same. A whopping 50% of respondents express that there has been a significant 40-60% increase in the number of mental illnesses post Covid-19 pandemic. Also, 68% of respondents think that working from home has contributed to many mental health issues. However, the grave concern revealed through the study is that a staggering 70% of patients are at their advanced stage when they get their diagnosis done.

Surprisingly, 40% of the respondents said that for patients their immediate friends are their first contact person when they face mental or emotional illness. While only 20% of the respondents said that patients approached their family first when they encountered emotional or mental trouble. 43% respondents expressed the concern that family usually is hesitant to help patients avail proper treatment or go for therapy.

The survey reinstated the fact that conversation regarding mental health remains a taboo and needs immediate attention.

Talking about the primary reasons of mental illness, 62% of the respondents believe that childhood bullying, and child abuse victims are more likely to have anxiety/depression in adult life. Furthermore, patients facing different physical challenges too experience underlying mental illness at times. As per 65% respondents, patients with infertility issues are most likely to be susceptible to mental illness, followed by oncology with 60%, and nephrology with 55%.

The survey also highlighted the most common signs of mental health issues: indigestion, constant lethargy, and sometimes persistent body ache, which otherwise go undetected.

“The survey has brought before us the real picture of mental health condition in India. Our aim at conducting this survey is to draw the sincere attention of the people towards this grave issue which unfortunately over many years has been put under the carpet. The primary challenge is the mindset of people where a patient is unable to take the very first step, if that is addressed then the war is 50% won”, says Mr. Tarun Gupta, Co-founder, LISSUN.

On a positive note, 42% of the respondents say that post Covid-19, society is more open to the idea of taking psychological Counselling for mental well-being. However, 38% of the respondents believe that the recent Tele-Mental Heath program initiated by the government would only benefit the urban population. The primary reason to this could be that in rural the priority is awareness so that people step forward and avail the service in need.