Boom and Gloom: India’s Growing Economy and Mental Health Decline
SOCIETY /
India is the fastest growing
and fifth-largest economy in the world. In terms of purchasing power parity,
India is number three, and in the 2020s, India is expected to outshine Germany
to become the fourth-largest economy. India is likely to increase its
population by around 273 million people between 2019 and 2050 and emerge as the
world’s most populous country by 2027.
India enjoys the demographic
dividend of being a young nation. It is all set to become the world’s youngest
country with 65% of its population in the working-age group by 2020. The
paradox is that the fastest growing economy and the youngest country is the
most depressed nation in the world. According to a World Health Organization
report, around 6.5% of the Indian population suffers from some forms of severe
mental disorder, with no apparent rural-urban differences. Approximately 50% of
employees of the Indian corporate world suffer from stress, anxiety, and
depression.
The decreasing gap between the
haves and the have-nots and increasing purchasing power are giving rise to
unhealthy competition among the masses. India’s conservative society and
culture, coupled with the constant habit of comparison, is leading to growing
depression in the nation. Depression is the root cause of mental disorders, and
an estimated 56 million people suffer from depression in India. The race to own
the biggest house, the most expensive car, and to secure the highest marks in
the class among other things are giving rise to depression in the society.
Customs and traditions further
add to the problem. Indians may love anyone but ultimately have to marry as per
parental specifications. So, before loving someone, one has to think about,
“What is his/her religion? Which cast does he/she belong to? What is Gotra?”
Indians are more concerned about “what will people think?”
In the case of a joint family,
quarrels between spouse and family/in-laws are a common phenomena. In the
end, the quality of life takes a beating. Additionally, the mad rush for money
is blinding the sense of happiness and living.
Why is the situation grim?
Talking about mental disorder
is often considered a taboo in Indian society. This prevents people from
speaking up about their psychological issues. As a result, many people in India
suffer silently because of the fear of being ridiculed by others. There is a
constant pressure to act normal even when they are experiencing stress and
depression, thus making life more difficult.
This fear of being mocked is
leading to increasing number of suicides in India. An estimated 230,314 suicide
deaths occurred in India in 2016. Suicide was the main cause of death for
people aged 15-39 years in 2016. Married
women are often the victims of mental pressure and suicide deaths, mostly
because of domestic violence, early motherhood, arranged marriage, and economic
dependence on husbands.
The callousness of the
government is further aggravating the problem. Mental health in India has never
gained any importance or attention at all. There is a severe scarcity of
psychologists and psychiatrists in India.
Contrastingly, yoga and
meditation originated in India. Practising yoga and meditation can be seen to
help improve mental health, but despite this, the state of mental health in
India today is awful. It is no wonder that India is the most depressed nation
in the world. It is high time to ponder over the issue, or risk it turning into
an epidemic in India.
Boom and Gloom: India’s Growing Economy and Mental Health Decline
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