A study by a healthcare platform has found that there has been a considerable uptick in the number of younger women seeking mental health support in India. Mental health consultations among women have seen a year-on-year increase by 66 per cent, with those aged below 35 making up the largest group seeking help, a study by Practo has revealed.
For the study, Practo collected data from 78,000 women users in the country ahead of the International Women's Day, which is observed on March 8 annually.
A majority of mental health consultations, particularly for psychotherapy, psychiatry, and psychology, were sought by younger women.
Women Between 25-34 Years Consulting The Most
Women aged 25-34 comprised nearly 62 per cent of those who sought mental health consultations, followed by those in the 35-44 age group, who formed 16.5 percent of the help seekers. About 16 percent of those who sought help from a psychiatrist were aged 18-24. Women aged 45 and older comprised the remaining 5.6 per cent.
However, the most notable rise in consultations were seen in those between 18-24 years, with the age group registering a 59 per cent year-on-year growth. While those aged between 25-34 witnessed a 38 per cent growth, the 35-44 age group saw a 23 per cent rise in mental health consultations.
Withdrawal symptoms, suicidal behavior, stress, panic, PTSD, eating disorder, drug abuse, alcoholic addiction were the "most discussed concerns", the study found.
Experts told ABP Live that it was important to address the root causes of this issue by promoting gender equality, providing economic opportunities and resources, and increasing awareness and access to mental health services.
Dr Himani Kulkarni, consultant psychiatrist at Jupiter Hospital in Pune, said the increase in the number of younger women seeking mental health support was of concern as women today feel the pressure to perform equally at the domestic as well as professional front.
She underlined that use of substances like alcohol, cannabis, nicotine was also an increasingly worrying factor.
"Times are changing but not the outlook of people towards women. Pressure of society to fit in a particular pattern of looks and behaviour are making them easy prey of eating disorders, anxiety and depression. Emotional and physical abuse at hands of their partner is a common reason for mental health issues in this age group," Dr Kulkarni told ABP Live.
Dr Rachna Khanna Singh, consultant, mental health and behavioural science, Artemis Hospital, Gurugram, highlighted that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in younger generations was affecting about 10 percent of children and adolescents.
"Young women are also increasingly facing financial stress due to rising tuition costs, student loans, and a difficult job market, which can contribute to mental health issues," Dr Singh told ABP Live.
Impact Of Social Media On Mental Health
Dr Kulkarni said social media also has played a role in increasing levels of mental health problems in young women.
"Social media has a huge role to play as cyber bullying, body shaming, early exposure and access to substances, inappropriate content, affect mental health and wellbeing. Influencers are responsible for manipulating the thoughts and behaviours of the younger generation. More time spent in the virtual world leads to poor coping and interpersonal skills," Dr Kulkarni said.
Additionally, social media can be addictive and can interfere with sleep, leading to sleep deprivation, which can negatively impact mental health, Dr Singh of Artemis Hospital opined.
Rise In Suicides Among Housewives In India
According to NCRB data, as many as 45,026 women died by suicide in India in 2021 — nearly 1 every 9 minutes. Over half of them (23,178) were housewives. Moreover, of the 9,426 female suicides due to illnesses, 43.25 per cent or 4,077 were due to mental illness.
Dr Singh said a concoction of social, cultural and economic factors could be contributing to this trend.
"Women are often expected to take care of their families, manage the household, and fulfil traditional gender roles, which can be very stressful and overwhelming. Additionally, women who are housewives may feel isolated and disconnected from the outside world, leading to feelings of loneliness and hopelessness," she said.
"Economic factors also play a role in this issue. Many housewives in India do not have access to financial resources or job opportunities, which can lead to feelings of dependency," Dr Singh added.
Experts Call For Greater Access To Mental Health Services
In the Union Budget 2023, the Ministry of Health was allocated Rs 89,155 crore, with Rs 133.73 crore going to the National Tele Mental Health Programme. Experts said a lot more was desired from the government from a mental wellness perspective.
Dr Kulkarni said the importance of mental health should be introduced in schools and more and more facilities should be made available for dealing with stress in colleges and workplaces.
"Far-reaching awareness campaigns should be undertaken throughout the year and not only on world mental health day," she said.
Meanwhile, Dr Singh asserted that the government should invest in mental health research to better understand the causes and treatments of mental health conditions. "This can lead to more effective interventions and treatments for women struggling with mental health issues," she said.