A LONGITUDINAL LENS TO THE EVOLUTION OF MENTAL HEALTH IN INDIA- FROM LOOKING BACK TO WHERE WE STARTED FROM TO LOOKING FORWARD TO WHERE WE HAVE TO REACH

Abstract

Indian philosophy considers the body and the mind to be interdependent of one another. Health is considered as the state of complete wellbeing and mental health is one of the most important dimensions of health. This chapter throws light on the evolution of the status of mental health in our country- from the Vedic to the colonial and finally the post-independence era. Further, this book chapter critically discusses the Indian Mental Health Care Act (2017)- a robust attempt at empowering and uplifting the status of mental health and mentally ill individuals in India lacking adequate policy enforcement. This chapter also highlights the various systemic issues with respect to mental health in our country and insights on how the issues can be addressed better in the years to come. Finally, this chapter recognises that changes are required both at the socio-cultural and personal ecolevel so that every citizen learns to take care of both their physical and mental health and with ‘a sound body in a sound mind’ collaborate and cooperate to help India finally transform into a self reliant developed country in the centenarian year of our independence in lines of the vision of the Vikshit Bharat Program.