Unveiling the Hidden Crisis: India and China’s Struggle with Mental Health and the Urgent Need for Care

More than all high-income nations combined, India and China account for one-third of the world’s disease burden related to mental, neurological, and drug use problems. Despite this staggering statistic, the struggle for adequate mental health care persists, with the majority of those suffering from mental illnesses in these nations unable to obtain the necessary treatment.

The China-India Mental Health Alliance, a long-term project aimed at addressing the struggle with mental health issues, was launched today. This initiative brings together specialists from both China and India to examine the current state of mental health and mental health services in these countries. The launch is marked by the publication of three new articles in The Lancet and The Lancet Psychiatry.

The authors highlight the significant struggle in mental health treatment between China and India, arguing that the key to delivering more readily available, reasonably priced, and socially acceptable mental health care in both countries lies in community involvement. They emphasize the need for greater support for community health workers and the importance of cooperating with practitioners of traditional and alternative medicine.
China and India together account for more than 2.5 billion people, or 38% of the global population. Finding evidence-based answers to their common issues is the Alliance’s goal. The first of many publications that will be released in the upcoming year are these three studies.

The prevalence of mental disease in India and China

According to a recent examination of data by the Alliance of Global Burden of Disease:
Over the next ten years, India’s struggle with mental illness is expected to rise at a faster rate than China’s. In 2013, India experienced a loss of 31 million years of healthy life due to mental illness, while China faced a loss of 36 million years. According to estimates, by 2025, mental illness will claim 39.6 million years of healthy life in China, reflecting a 10% increase, and 38.1 million years in India, marking a 23% increase.

In both nations, men were more likely than women to suffer from substance use disorders. Men were more likely than women to suffer from drug dependence disorders (more than twice as high), and men were more likely to suffer from alcohol use disorders (almost seven times higher) (GBD, table 2).

A growing issue in both nations is dementia. The prediction is that the number of years of healthy life lost to dementia will rise by 82% in India, increasing from 1.7 million to 3.2 million, and by 56% in China, growing from 3.5 million to 5.4 million, between 2015 and 2025.

Treatment disparity in mental health

Less than 6% of Chinese citizens seek treatment for common mental health issues like anxiety, mood disorders, or substance abuse. Forty percent of individuals with psychotic disorders have never sought professional mental health therapy.

Barely one in ten Indians with mental health issues receive evidence-based care.

Both nations face a shortage of skilled mental health experts, limited funding, and restricted access, especially in rural areas. High levels of stigma also discourage people from seeking help. In both countries, mental health services receive less than 1% of the total public healthcare expenditure.

Struggle and Solutions: Combining Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Better Mental Health Care

India and China offer diverse medical professionals, from yoga instructors and TCM practitioners to address mental health issues. People choose alternative medicine for reasons like cost, cultural beliefs, faith, or the perception of greater safety. However, the authors point out that further study is necessary to completely comprehend the advantages and disadvantages of these treatments.

Authors suggest training conventional medicine practitioners to identify, refer, and counsel patients at risk or against stopping medication. Mental health professionals should respect traditional healers’ beliefs, guide on therapy efficacy, and promote social support through exercise and diet.

Professor Vikram Patel of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine in London, UK, and the Public Health Foundation of India in India states: “India has progressive policies regarding mental health care, but the actual implementation of comprehensive community-oriented services is patchy, and treatment gaps are very large, especially in rural areas.”

Pioneers have shown how to close disparities by involving the community and sharing tasks with front-line staff. Many mental health issues in China, such as anxiety, depression, and alcohol abuse, receive inadequate treatment. The aging population also needs attention.

Bridging Gaps in Mental Health: Collaborative Solutions and the Struggle with National Challenges in India and China

We also need to explore how alternative medicine practitioners can collaborate with physicians to improve mental health treatment and support.

Professor Michael Phillips notes that China’s first national mental health law, passed in 2012, ended thirty years of effort.

Securing funds and political will for implementing the law’s goals remains a major challenge, common with many mental health laws.

A national effort offers free treatment for psychotic diseases, but rural mental health professional shortages hinder success.

Many mental health issues in China remain undertreated, including anxiety, depression, alcohol abuse, and concerns related to the aging population.

“Governments must boost support for multidisciplinary, community-based initiatives to effectively address mental health challenges and improve services.”