IIT Jodhpur study indicates low self-reporting for mental disorders in India

NEW DELHI: Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur conducted a research that highlighted concerning trends regarding the reporting of mental disorders in India. The study found that self-reporting rates for mental health issues were remarkably low. According to the 75th Round National Sample Survey, 2017-18, less than 1% of people self-reported regarding mental illness.

The National Sample Survey relies entirely on individual self-reporting. The data was obtained from 555,115 people (rural: 325,232; urban: 229,232) from randomly chosen 8077 villages and 6181 urban regions in India, including 283 outpatient and 374 hospitalisation cases related to mental illnesses.

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IIT Jodhpur Mental Disorder Study: Key findings

The key findings of the study conducted by IIT Jodhpur are mentioned below.

• Low self-reporting of mental illnesses: The study found that self-reporting of mental illnesses in India is significantly lower than the actual count. The disparity indicates a considerable gap in identifying and addressing mental health concerns.

• Socioeconomic disparities: The study discovered a socioeconomic disparity in India, with the top income group reporting 1.73 times more mental problems than the ones with the lowest incomes.

• Private sector dominance: The private sector has emerged as the primary supplier of mental health services, accounting for 66.1% of outpatient treatment and 59.2% of inpatient care.

• Limited health insurance coverage: Only 23% of those hospitalised for mental illnesses have health insurance at the national level.

• High expenditure: The study found that the average out-of-pocket costs for both hospitalisation and outpatient treatment were much higher in the private sector than in the public sector.

Speaking on the low self-reporting of mental health disorders in India, Alok Ranjan, assistant professor, School of Liberal Arts (SOLA) IIT Jodhpur, said, "Stigma in society acts as a significant barrier to reporting mental health issues. In today's society, the reluctance to report mental health issues persists due to the prevailing stigma. Individuals, fearing social judgement, often choose silence over seeking help. Destigmatizing mental health is crucial to fostering an environment where seeking support is embraced."