The Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS) has drawn attention to a persistently large mental health treatment gap in India, reporting that nearly 80–85 per cent of people with psychiatric disorders do not receive timely or appropriate care.
This concern was underscored at the curtain‑raiser event for the 77th Annual National Conference of the Indian Psychiatric Society (ANCIPS 2026), slated to be held from January 28‑31 at Yashobhoomi in Delhi.
Data from the National Mental Health Survey indicate that India faces one of the widest treatment gaps globally, with over 85 per cent of individuals with common mental disorders either not seeking treatment or failing to access it. Globally, more than 70 per cent of individuals with mental illness do not receive care from trained healthcare professionals, and in many low‑income countries fewer than 10 per cent of those in need are able to access appropriate services.
Despite advances in psychiatric treatment and increasing public awareness, a large proportion of people with mental illness continue to remain outside the formal healthcare system. Barriers such as stigma, lack of awareness, and inadequate integration of mental health services into primary care contribute to delayed or absent treatment.
The consequences of this treatment gap are wide‑ranging. Delayed or absent care can lead to more severe and chronic illness, increased disability, family distress and loss of productivity.
