A study by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences in Bengaluru revealed that one in 20 Indians suffers from some sort of depression. But, the increase in prescriptions could also be a sign that people are more open than before to seek help for depression and the rising number of psychiatrists in India.
In India, depression isn’t given much of the significance in the public health system like other widespread diseases. However, the occurrence of depression across the world has augmented to such an extent that it’s the theme for the World Health Organization’s World Health Day on April 7.
Corresponding to NIMHANS director Dr B N Gangadhar, the increase in prescriptions could also be a sign of the growing number of psychiatrists in India. “There is no doubt that people are more open than before to seek help for depression, but a 14 per cent rise in prescriptions could also mean there are more psychiatrists today than before,” Dr Gangadhar told ET.
In 2016, Indians approached more anti-depressants than ever before. It clearly indicates that they are now more open to the idea of seeking help for mental health issues. About 10.6 lakh more prescriptions for anti-depressants were penned in 2016 compared to 2015.
About 3.35 crore prescriptions were written for newly diagnosed patients, while the doctors wrote 3.46 crore new prescriptions in 2016, says data gathered by health information agencies.
