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Mental health is often used interchangeably with absence of mental disorders, the term ‘mental disorders’ is used to denote a range of mental and behavioral disorders, with different presentations. Mental disorders include depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and other psychoses, dementia, and developmental disorders including autism.

Mental health conditions are increasing worldwide. Mainly because of demographic changes, there has been a 13% rise in mental health conditions and substance use disorders in the last decade (to 2017). Now the pandemic has an exasperating effect on the mental health of population, making them more vulnerable and isolated than the norm. 

Mental health conditions now cause 1 in 5 years lived with disability. Around 20% of the world’s children and adolescents have a mental health condition, with suicide the second leading cause of death among 15-29-year-olds. Approximately one in five people in post-conflict settings have a mental health condition. Mental health conditions can have a substantial effect on all areas of life, such as school or work performance, relationships with family and friends and ability to participate in the community. 

Two of the most common mental health conditions, depression, and anxiety, cost the global economy US$ 1 trillion each year. Despite these figures, the global median of government health expenditure that goes to mental health is less than 2%. If we want to create a positive, more inclusive environment for people to live we need to look at mental health with an inclusive and integrated health lens, mental health should be approached with comprehensive healthcare as it is and integral part of everything life from mental health in schools, work, home to mental health of marginalized communities. We need to find more ways to break the barriers for access to mental healthcare, India’s first national mental health policy was launched in the year 2014 and further revised in 2017, we as a developing nation have a long way to go.