The treatment gap in mental health is staggering, with nearly 85 per cent of individuals who require care unable to access it. Neerja Birla, Founder and Chairperson of the Aditya Birla Education Trust (ABET), and Mpower outlines this pressing issue, attributing it to a lack of accessibility and awareness.
“Life has become increasingly complex, and so has our experiences, and responses to these intricacies,” she observes.
Comparing generational shifts, she notes that her parents lived in a simpler time, free from many of today’s stressors. Likewise, while her own experiences differed from theirs, she acknowledges that her children now navigate even more challenging circumstances.
The key to overcoming this growing mental health crisis, she emphasises, lies in open communication and awareness. “We need to talk more and build mental health literacy. The more we acknowledge these challenges, the better equipped we are to tackle them.”
Bridging mental health gaps
To bridge this gap, Birla highlights the role of public-private partnerships in advancing mental health initiatives. “We collaborate across various sectors, including law enforcement, through programs like ‘Saksham’, which provides mental health support to both survivors of assault and offenders. While working, sensitising first responders makes a significant impact not just for those they assist, but for their own well-being as well.”
A similar initiative with the CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) has placed mental health centres in airports across India. Through targeted screenings and awareness campaigns, the initiative has significantly reduced suicide rates among personnel by nearly 40 per cent.
With a large number of individuals in need still unable to access care, Birla stresses the importance of expanding mental health infrastructure. Integrating mental health programs at the grassroots level—in workplaces, schools, and colleges—can drive preventive care and early intervention.
Beyond national efforts, there is a growing need for global collaboration in mental health. Initiatives like a Global Mental Health Consortium aim to bring together experts from various fields to exchange insights and implement effective strategies. The goal is to create a shared framework for addressing mental health challenges. “By uniting like-minded individuals on a common platform, we can bridge mental health gaps on a much larger scale.”
