80% psychiatric patients fail to receive timely care: Experts

The Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS) raised alarm over India’s widening mental health treatment gap, stating that nearly 80 to 85 per cent of people suffering from psychiatric disorders do not receive timely or adequate care.

The concern was highlighted during the curtain raiser of the 77th Annual National Conference of the Indian Psychiatric Society (ANCIPS 2026), scheduled to be held from January 28 to 31 at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi.

Mental health experts warned that despite advances in psychiatric treatment and increased public discourse around mental well-being, a majority of individuals with mental illnesses continue to remain outside the formal healthcare system.

Referring to findings from the National Mental Health Survey (NMHS), the IPS noted that more than 85 per cent of people with common mental disorders in India either do not seek treatment or fail to receive appropriate care.

Globally, more than 70 per cent of individuals with mental illness do not receive treatment from trained professionals, with the gap being especially wide in low and middle income countries.

IPS chief Dr Savita Malhotra said mental illnesses were among the most treatable health conditions if identified early and managed properly. “Mental health disorders are highly treatable, yet the majority of patients in India continue to suffer in silence. The fact that over 80 per cent of people do not receive timely psychiatric care reflects deep-rooted stigma, lack of awareness and inadequate integration of mental health services into primary healthcare,” said Dr Malhotra, adding that the issue has serious social, economic and developmental implications.

Experts identified stigma and discrimination as major barriers preventing people from seeking professional help. Fear of being judged or marginalised by family, workplace and society often leads to delays in treatment or complete avoidance of care. Low awareness further compounds the problem, as early symptoms are frequently dismissed as stress, emotional weakness or personality issues rather than recognised as medical conditions requiring intervention.

Another critical challenge highlighted was the severe shortage of mental health professionals. India faces a significant deficit of psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, psychiatric social workers and mental health nurses, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas where access to specialised care is limited. This shortage hampers early diagnosis, treatment continuity and follow-up care.

Dr Nimesh G Desai, chairperson of the organising committee of ANCIPS 2026 and former director of the Institute of Human Behaviour & Allied Sciences (IHBAS), warned that delayed or absent treatment has far-reaching consequences. “When psychiatric care is delayed, illnesses often become severe and chronic, leading to greater disability, family distress, loss of productivity and a significantly increased risk of self-harm and suicide,” he said, stressing that mental health must be treated with the same urgency as physical health.

The IPS also highlighted the disproportionate impact on vulnerable groups, noting that nearly 80 per cent of children and adolescents with mental disorders and 84 per cent of older adults with psychiatric conditions in India remain untreated.

While initiatives such as the Tele-MANAS helpline and the District Mental Health Programme are positive steps, the society stressed that these efforts must be scaled up significantly to ensure mental healthcare is prioritised on par with physical health.