Over 75% Shun Psychiatric Care Despite Rising Mental Health Struggles: NIMHANS Study
23 Oct, 2026 11:47 IST|Sakshi Post
77% Avoid Care: More than three in four individuals with psychiatric distress skip formal treatment.
92.5% Substance Abuse Gap: Over nine out of ten substance-dependent individuals never seek clinical de-addiction help.
Key Deterrents: Cultural superstition, hostility/denial, social stigma, and unregulated internet self-help.
National Support Channel: Government-backed Tele-MANAS (24×7 toll-free psychiatric guidance).
In a startling revelation highlighting the deep-seated stigma surrounding mental healthcare, a comprehensive study conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, revealed that nearly 77% of individuals grappling with mental health issues refuse or avoid clinical treatment.
The ground-level assessment covering 35,023 adults across primary healthcare centers identified deep resistance toward institutional therapy. Alarmingly, 92.5% of individuals battling substance abuse disorders have never sought medical intervention. Even after structured counseling urging them to visit specialists, only a minuscule fraction chose to follow through with psychiatric support.
Researchers highlighted that deep-rooted superstition, reluctance to acknowledge mental instability, illiteracy, and the growing hazard of social-media-driven self-diagnosis continue to act as major roadblocks. While nationwide support systems like the round-the-clock Tele-MANAS helpline and community-level drives through ASHA workers offer structured infrastructure, the findings emphasize that bridging the gap between facilities and patient willingness remains the country's steepest challenge.
