The Economic Burden of Mental Illness in India: A Call for Investment in Mental Healthcare

Author(s)	Aashi Samir Saraiya, Anushka Varma, Srishti Srivastava
Country	India
Abstract	This paper aims to explore the diverse economic implications of neglecting mental health in India and present strategic investments in the mental health system. It also targets the urgent need to prioritise mental health, not only as a healthcare imperative, but as a socio-economic necessity, through evidence from research papers and policy analysis. Drawing on secondary evidence from national surveys, global health organisations, and economic analyses, the paper demonstrates that mental health imposes substantial indirect and direct costs to individuals, families, workplaces and the nation as a whole. To complement secondary evidence, primary data was collected to assess public perceptions on barriers to mental healthcare and their beliefs about mental healthcare investment in India. By complementing secondary evidence with public perceptions, this paper calls for a strategic shift toward preventative, community-based care that views mental health investment as a priority in order to reduce substantial losses in the future.
Keywords	Economic Impact, Need for Investment, Mental Healthcare, Lost Productivity, Treatment Gap.
Field	Sociology > Philosophy / Psychology / Religion
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 2, March-April 2026
Published On	2026-04-08

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