Report Highlights Delays In Mental Healthcare Access
An Amaha report found that over half of respondents waited more than a year to seek mental healthcare, with many reporting thoughts of self-harm.
More than half of those seeking mental healthcare in India waited over a year before approaching professionals, while 56.2 per cent reported thoughts of self‑harm beforehand, according to a report based on responses from 13,825 people.
The findings are part of ‘The Amaha Mental Health Report 2026: Understanding the Journey to Care in India’, which examined experiences before professional care between October 2025 and September 2026. Only 11.3 per cent sought help within a month of experiencing concerns.
The report found that 94.9 per cent of respondents faced two or more issues simultaneously, averaging five each. Anxiety was most common (72.1 per cent), followed by stress (67.5), low mood (58.3), relationship difficulties (55.6) and frequent mood swings (54.1).
Before accessing professional support, 54.5 per cent spoke to friends or family, 44.6 per cent tried self‑help, nearly a third had attempted therapy and 19.4 per cent had been prescribed medication. Avoidant coping strategies such as excessive screen time, oversleeping and overworking were reported by 82.7 per cent, while 15.4 per cent used alcohol or harmful substances.
Thoughts of self‑harm were reported by 71.7 per cent of students and 64.7 per cent of unemployed respondents, compared with 53.2 per cent of working professionals.
Managing daily activities was also difficult: only 12.3 per cent said they could handle all tasks, while 27.3 per cent managed few or none.
Dr Amit Malik, psychiatrist and founder of Amaha, said progress in mental healthcare should be measured by timely and effective treatment. He stressed the role of families, friends and communities in helping people recognise concerns and seek support.