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5h ago

World Mental Health Day Puts Emergency Care in Focus as UN, India Leaders Urge Action

WHO estimates one in five people in conflict or disaster zones face mental health conditions as India touts Tele‑MANAS even as rural access, staffing and funding shortfalls persist.

World Mental Health Day is observed globally on October 10 every year.
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Overview

  • The 2025 theme prioritizes access to services during humanitarian crises and calls for embedding Mental Health and Psychosocial Support into disaster response.
  • The UN Secretary‑General said mental health care is life‑saving and pressed governments to fund and integrate trained support into all emergency operations.
  • In India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged more open conversation, while the government highlighted Tele‑MANAS (53 cells in 36 states; about 2.38 million calls since 2022) and District Mental Health Programme coverage across 700+ districts.
  • Experts underscored systemic gaps, noting India’s large share of the global burden, low public spending below 2% of health budgets, workforce shortages and urban‑centric services.
  • Reports also flagged heightened risks for youths and displaced communities, citing research linking earlier smartphone exposure to higher levels of stress and behavioural problems.