What Is Mental Health? It’s about how we feel, think, and handle life’s ups and downs. Mental health affects everything in our work, relationships, and even how we see ourselves. In India, more people are now starting to talk about it, which is a good sign.
According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), India’s age-standardized suicide rate was 16.4 per 100,000 people, making it one of the highest in the world. Anxiety, depression, and stress are becoming more common, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The good news? You’re not alone, and help is always available. Mental health matters just as much as physical health. Talking to a friend, taking a break, or reaching out to a professional can make a big difference. Let’s break the stigma and start supporting each other because your mind matters.
World Mental Health Day is celebrated annually on October 10th to raise awareness about these issues and promote good well-being.
What Is Mental Health?
Mental health is concerned with your emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Thus, it goes into what you think about, how you feel, and act each moment of your life.
It also determines how you deal with stress and relate to other people, and make choices. Like your bodily health, mental health is of the essence throughout a person’s life-from a child to an adult.
Good mental health is having an understanding of how to manage stress in life. This health helps one to understand the ups and downs in life, to recover from setbacks, out of any adverse experience, and carry out their normal responsibilities. It then maintains healthy relationships that sustain your productivity and enjoyment of life.
Along with this, it was said, it is important to identify that mental health is not the same as mental illness. Everyone has mental health, but that does not mean that they all share a mental health disorder. Mental diseases are a state of diagnosis, such as anxiety or depression.
Struggling with emotions is many times normal, but when these feelings last a long time or disturb your life, you will seek professional help.
Mental Health vs Mental Illness
| Aspect | Mental Health | Mental Illness |
| Meaning | A state of emotional, psychological, and social well-being. | A condition that affects the way a person thinks, feels, or behaves. |
| Presence in Everyone | Everyone has mental health (good or poor). | Not everyone has a mental illness. |
| Examples | Feeling stressed before exams, but calming down after. | Constant anxiety that doesn’t go away and affects daily life = Anxiety Disorder. |
| Control | Can be managed by sleep, exercise, talking to someone, or mindfulness. | Often requires professional help like therapy, medication, or diagnosis. |
| Duration | Temporary ups and downs depending on life situations. | Long-lasting or recurring needs require treatment to manage. |
| Stigma | Often overlooked or ignored. | Often misunderstood or judged unfairly. |
| Daily Impact | It may affect mood or motivation briefly. | Affects daily functioning like work, relationships, and decision-making. |
Mental health conditions are treatable, and there are various forms of support available. Treatment options include psychotherapy (talk therapy), medication, healthy lifestyle changes, as well as self-help strategies. Early intervention is often crucial for better outcomes.
Why Mental Health Matters?
In today’s fast-paced world, mental health often takes a backseat. Students face endless exam pressure, young professionals battle job stress and burnout, and adults juggle countless responsibilities. All of this can silently take a toll on mental well-being.
Many people push through it without talking, believing it’s just part of life. But over time, the weight becomes heavier, making it harder to cope.
One of the biggest barriers to seeking help in India is the fear of what others will say“Log kya kahenge?”
This stigma stops open conversations and creates guilt around emotional struggles. Instead of support, people are often met with silence, shame, or judgment. This fear keeps many from reaching out when they need it the most.
Mental health is just as important as physical health. Normalizing it through awareness, empathy, and open conversations can help create a society where healing is possible for everyone.
Signs And Symptoms That Affect Mental Health
The signs and symptoms of mental health & mental disorders can vary widely depending on the specific disorder, but here are some common signs and symptoms that may indicate the presence of a mental health condition:
| Sign/Symptom | What does it mean? |
| Feeling Low or Moody | Always feeling sad, hopeless, or easily irritated could be depression or anxiety. |
| Trouble Thinking Clearly | Can’t focus or make decisions may be stress or early burnout. |
| Avoiding People or Activities | Not talking to friends, skipping work/school, might mean social anxiety or depression. |
| Body Issues Without Clear Cause | Tired all the time, stomach pain, or no appetite are often linked to stress or anxiety. |
| Sleep Problems | Sleeping too much or not at all could be a sign of depression or anxiety. |
| Using Substances to Cope | Drinking more, overeating, or taking drugs, trying to escape emotional pain. |
| Panic or Anxiety Attacks | Feeling dizzy, heart racing, or a choking feeling; possible severe anxiety or panic disorder. |
| Dark or Suicidal Thoughts | Saying things like “I want to disappear” needs immediate help or emergency support |
Note: If you or someone you know shows any of these signs, talk to a trusted person or mental health professional. Early support can make a big difference.
Factors Affecting Mental Health
Mental health is influenced by several personal, social, and environmental factors that we encounter every day.
- Personal and Family Well-Being: Dealing with long-term physical illness either personally or within the family can take a toll on mental health. If not addressed early, it may lead to stress, frustration, or even feelings of helplessness.
- Isolation and Loneliness: While occasional loneliness is normal, prolonged isolation can harm our mental well-being. Persistent feelings of being alone may lead to social withdrawal, depression symptoms, or low self-worth.
- Past Traumas: Negative past experiences or traumatic events often resurface through flashbacks or nightmares. These memories can deeply impact emotional stability and overall mental health.
- Work-Life Imbalance: Struggling to balance professional responsibilities with personal life is a common issue. Constant stress from trying to manage both can lead to burnout, irritability, and a lack of motivation.
- Childhood Trauma: Traumatic events during childhood, such as abuse, neglect, or exposure to violence, can have long-lasting effects. Childhood trauma and problematic experiences often disrupt emotional development and may carry into adulthood.
- Substance Abuse: In some cases, individuals may use drugs, alcohol, or emotional eating to cope with mental distress or unresolved trauma. Over time, this can develop into addiction, worsening their mental health.
Recognizing these factors early and seeking support can help in maintaining better mental and emotional well-being.
Myths About Mental Health In India
Mental health is still surrounded by stigma and misinformation in many parts of India. These myths often prevent people from seeking help when they need it. Let’s bust some of the most common ones:
- “Therapy is only for the ‘mad’”
This is one of the biggest myths. In reality, therapy is for anyone going through stress, anxiety, confusion, or emotional challenges. You don’t need to hit rock bottom to talk to a professional.
- “Only weak people talk about emotions.”
Expressing emotions is a sign of strength, not weakness. It shows self-awareness and maturity. Bottling things up can make mental health worse over time.
- “Yoga can solve every mental issue.”
While yoga is great for calming the mind and improving mental clarity, it isn’t a substitute for therapy or medical care, especially in severe conditions like depression or PTSD.
- “Boys don’t cry”
This old stereotype harms men by making them feel ashamed of expressing feelings. Mental health doesn’t discriminate by gender. Everyone has emotions, and the right to feel them.
- “Mental illness is not real.”
Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it isn’t there. Moreover, conditions like anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder are medical issues and deserve the same care as physical illnesses.
- “It’s just a phase, it’ll pass.”
Sometimes, emotional struggles are more than just a rough patch. Dismissing them delays support. Early help can make a big difference in healing.
How To Take Care Of Your Mental Health?
- Prioritize good sleep: Aim for 7–8 hours of restful sleep. It restores your mind and improves your ability to handle stress.
- Try journaling: Writing down your thoughts daily can help you reflect and release bottled-up emotions.
- Do what you love: Spending time on hobbies like painting, music, or reading gives your mind a break and boosts joy.
- Notice warning signs: If you feel constantly low, anxious, or disconnected for weeks, it may be time to seek help.
- Talk to someone you trust: Sharing how you feel with a friend or family member can lighten the emotional load.
Affordable Therapy Options: Online Platforms & Helplines
Platforms like iWill, YourDOST, and helplines like iCall offer mental health support at low or no cost in India.
- iWill Therapy: Offers professional online counseling via app and website, starting from approximately ₹500/session. Suitable for anxiety, depression, relationships, etc.
- YourDOST: YourDOST provides affordable counseling with psychologists and life coaches via chat or video. Free chats are available.
- iCall (TISS): A free and confidential helpline run by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences. Available in multiple Indian languages. Call: +91-9152987821 or visit iCALL
- Fortis Stress Helpline: 24×7 toll-free number (91-8376804102) for stress-related issues, especially for students and parents.
- Samaritans Mumbai: Emotional support helpline for people feeling distressed, lonely, or suicidal. Call: +91-84229 84528
- 7 Cups: 7 Cups has free chat support with trained listeners; therapy starts at a low cost.
Mental Health Statistics In India
Explore the vital statistics of mental health in India, shedding light on the scale and impact of this pressing issue in one of the world’s most populous countries.
Facts and statistics about mental health, with approximately 14% of the population, or nearly 197 million people, in need of mental health support, understanding the prevalence of conditions like depression and anxiety, as well as the challenges faced, is essential.
Here we are to explain the mental health by diving into the data to uncover the realities of the issue in India, including suicide rates and the ongoing efforts to promote awareness as well as access to care.
Best Yoga Asanas For Mental Wellness
Yoga for Mind offers a variety of practices that can benefit mental health by promoting relaxation, reducing stress, improving focus, as well as enhancing emotional well-being.
Here are some types of yoga that are particularly well-suited for mental health:
1. Kundalini Yoga: Kundalini yoga combines physical postures, breathing exercises, mantra chanting, and meditation. It aims to awaken energy within the body and enhance spiritual awareness. Moreover, Kundalini yoga can be beneficial for improving mood, reducing anxiety, as well as promoting emotional balance.
2. Bikram/Hot Yoga: Bikram yoga for mental health is practiced in a room heated to a high temperature, and it consists of a specific sequence of 26 postures and two breathing exercises. The heat can promote detoxification and relaxation. However, it may not be suitable for everyone, especially those with certain medical conditions.
3. Pranayama: Yoga and Pranayama refer to the practice of breath control techniques. It can be incorporated into various forms of yoga and can have a direct impact on calming the mind, reducing stress, and increasing overall mental clarity.
4. Trauma-Informed Yoga: This specialized form of yoga is designed to be sensitive to the needs of individuals who have experienced trauma. Moreover, it focuses on creating a safe and supportive environment with gentle movements.
5. Vinyasa Yoga: Vinyasa yoga is a dynamic and flowing style that synchronizes movement with breath. This type of yoga can help alleviate stress as well as anxiety by promoting mindfulness and focus as you move through a series of poses in a continuous flow.
Wrapping It Up
A panic attack is a sudden wave of overwhelming fear accompanied by intense physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, chest pain, and dizziness. Moreover, these episodes can last a few minutes or longer and may seriously impact both mental and physical well-being.
Why Do Panic Attacks Happen?
Panic attacks occur when the brain’s fear center (amygdala) reacts to a real or perceived threat. This triggers an adrenaline rush that increases heart rate and breathing, causing the body to feel under attack.
Types of Panic Attacks
- Expected Panic Attacks: Triggered by known fears, like flying or crowded places.
- Unexpected Panic Attacks: Occur without any warning or clear cause.
Why Mental Health Matters? Prioritizing mental health is essential in a world full of silent struggles. Moreover, mental health advice can break the stigma through open conversations and support can lead to a healthier, more compassionate society.
How Do We Recognize A Panic Attack?
Physical Symptoms: Racing heart, sweating, trembling, difficulty breathing, chest pain, dizziness.
Emotional Symptoms: Fear of dying, losing control, or feeling detached from reality.
How To Stop a Panic Attack in the Moment
- Grounding (5-4-3-2-1): Engage your senses. Name 5 things you see, 4 you touch, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, and 1 you taste.
- Deep Breathing (4-7-8 Method): Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7, exhale for 8. Repeat to regain control.
- Cold Therapy & Distraction: Splash cold water, hold ice, sip water, or focus on music and surroundings.
Myths: Mental health issues are often misunderstood due to prevalent myths that hinder proper care. It’s important to recognize that seeking help is a sign of strength.
How Panic Attacks Can Be Managed And Treated
- Psychotherapy: CBT helps reframe negative thought patterns.
- Medication: Prescribed drugs can ease symptoms. Always consult a professional.
Strategies To Avoid a Panic Attack
Exercise regularly, eat balanced meals, avoid stimulants, and practice calming techniques like deep breathing. Moreover, according to recent reports, mental illness in India statistics reveal that nearly 1 in 7 Indians suffer from mental health issues, highlighting an urgent need for awareness and support.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Do You Mean By Mental Health?
Mental health refers to your emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how you think, feel, act, handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.
How To Be Mentally Healthy?
Stay mentally healthy by practicing self-care, staying connected with loved ones, exercising, sleeping well, managing stress, setting goals, and seeking professional help when needed. Moreover, balance is key to mental wellness.
How To Prevent Mental Health?
Mental health isn’t something to prevent but to protect. Prevent mental illness by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, building resilience, reducing stress, avoiding substance abuse, and seeking early support when needed.
How Does Mental Health Affect Your Everyday Life?
Mental health influences how you handle relationships, work, decision-making, and challenges. Poor mental health can lower focus, mood, and energy, affecting overall quality of life and daily functioning.
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