Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jan 28: Mental health specialists have raised serious concern over the growing burden of mental disorders among young adults in India, warning that poor awareness and delayed treatment are worsening the crisis.
Addressing the 77th Annual National Conference of the Indian Psychiatric Society (ANCIPS 2026), experts highlighted that nearly six out of ten mental health conditions in the country are diagnosed before the age of 35. They cautioned that excessive screen time and increasing dependence on digital platforms could further aggravate the problem in the coming years.
Experts noted that the lingering impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, coupled with economic instability and rapidly changing social dynamics, has significantly heightened stress, anxiety, and depression among young people.
“When such a large proportion of mental disorders are appearing in people under 35, it shows that the crisis is beginning much earlier than previously assumed,” said Dr Deepak Raheja, Organising Secretary of ANCIPS Delhi. “These are the most productive years of life, when individuals are pursuing education, careers, and social responsibilities.”
Former IHBAS director Dr Nimesh G. Desai pointed out that delayed help-seeking remains one of the biggest challenges. “Most mental disorders are highly treatable if addressed early. Unfortunately, lack of awareness and hesitation to seek timely care allows problems to worsen,” he said, adding that unchecked digital dependency is likely to intensify mental health concerns.
Desai warned that conditions starting in youth often persist for life if left untreated, affecting not only individuals but also families, workplaces, and national productivity. He stressed the need for a shift towards prevention and early intervention in India’s mental healthcare approach.
Indian Psychiatric Society president Dr Savita Malhotra underlined the pressures facing today’s youth, including academic competition, social isolation despite online connectivity, constant comparison on digital platforms, and uncertainty around jobs and relationships. “Mental health services must evolve to be more accessible, youth-centric, and free from stigma,” she said.
Calling for urgent action, experts emphasised that early screening, mental health programmes in schools and colleges, and sustained efforts to reduce stigma are critical to safeguarding the well-being of the country’s younger generations.