Bengaluru: Nearly 150 million Indians, aged 13 and above, are likely to be suffering one or more mental health problems and need treatment, as per a survey done by Nimhans.
The results of National Mental Health Survey report, prepared by the Nimhans, was released by Union health minister J.P. Nadda here on Tuesday. According to the report, among those who are suffering from mental health problems, only a quarter of them sought treatment from a formal health care provider.
The median monthly expenditure ranged between Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,500 per month. The report concluded that a national commission on mental health should be formed, comprising professionals from mental health, public health, social sciences, the judiciary and related services, to oversee and review mental health policies in an ongoing manner.
The survey team interviewed nearly 40,000 individuals, including 1,200 adolescents, from 12 states across 6 regions of the country. As per the survey most of the mentally ill patients were in the age group of 30 to 49 and those above 60.
