It was quite shocking for me when my neighbour informed me that her nine-year-old son was undergoing psychiatric treatment for his recently developed mental health issues. She was completely devastated. I consoled her, saying that, unlike many parents, she had recognised the problem early and was taking steps to help her child — a truly bold and commendable decision. Later, she shared that after three to four visits to the psychiatrist, along with certain lifestyle changes and restrictions, her son had started showing signs of improvement.This reminded me of a news report published in The Times of India on September 8, in which psychiatrist Dr S Janani observed that four children aged between nine and fifteen had recently sought consultation for suicidal tendencies. Alarmingly, a couple of them even attempted suicide by overdosing on medications stolen from their grandparents.AdvertisementWe often use the phrase “catch them young” to celebrate the early nurturing of talent and potential. But today, it carries a grim irony — for it seems that mental disorders, too, have learned to “catch them young.” Childhood now finds itself shadowed by anxiety, depression, and emotional exhaustion.India, with its vast 18 per cent share of the world’s population, is quietly battling a mental health epidemic. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that the country bears a burden of 2,443 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) per 10,000 people due to mental health issues. Even more alarming is the age-adjusted suicide rate — 21.1 per 100,000 — a grim reflection of the silent suffering that often goes unnoticed. The economic cost tells its own story: between 2012 and 2030, according to WHO research, India is projected to lose around USD 1.03 trillion because of mental health conditions.A few national-level studies paint an equally concerning picture, suggesting that nearly 15 per cent of adults need some form of psychological or psychiatric intervention. The divide between rural and urban India is also telling: mental health issues are nearly twice as prevalent in cities (13.5 per cent) compared to villages (6.9 per cent), revealing how urban stress, lifestyle changes, and social isolation are taking a quiet but heavy toll on the nation’s mental well-being.AdvertisementThe Indian paradox is clear: even as we celebrate advancement, creativity, and interconnectedness, we also have to deal with an increasing number of people who are depressed, anxious, or contemplating suicide.In my experience as a teacher, there is a common trend among out-of-town students who arrive full of promise but quickly face an unsettling reality. The city’s fast-paced environment, clogged infrastructure, deteriorating air quality, and apparent lack of social concern all go against what students had expected. The lack of basic amenities, high living expenses, homesickness, and a recurring fear of being left out all contribute to a growing sense of alienation. Substance abuse, smoking, and excessive digital media use are coping strategies used by some students, but they frequently offer only temporary respite and can worsen underlying anxiety.The accumulated impact of all these stresses eventually manifests as noticeable behavioural and performance changes — decreased zeal and enthusiasm, increased concern about adjusting to new situations, waning interest in academic work, and falling grades. Due to intense rivalry and pressure to stand out, many people also experience an increased need for approval and attention from others. The outcome, in addition to poor academic achievement, includes emotional exhaustion, self-doubt, and growing concern about one’s ability to persevere.Socioeconomic pressures also act as one of the biggest threats to mental health, along with a host of psychological and lifestyle factors. The stress of contemporary life has expanded beyond emotional or psychological suffering to include social uncertainty, financial difficulty, and the constant need to survive in an unfair and competitive society.We are constantly inundated with alarming news about natural disasters, mob lynchings, disease outbreaks, and violent episodes that question our sense of security as a society. The unrelenting stream of such stories contributes to an increasingly depressing and anxious atmosphere. Individuals start to believe that the world is dangerous, uncertain, and unstable.This strain is further compounded by unemployment. The hard realities of limited opportunities frequently cause the educated youth’s dreams of stability to shatter. Those who do find employment are constantly on edge due to growing EMIs, rising living costs, and job instability. There seems to be constant pressure to do well — or even just to get by.There is also social pressure on men to “be strong” — to repress their feelings while bearing the burden of providing for their families. This implicit demand for stoicism can be disastrous since it denies individuals a safe way to express vulnerability, failure, or anxiety.The rising cost of education, healthcare, and food intensifies the crisis further. Parents often sacrifice their own well-being to educate their children, while young adults bear the emotional guilt of those sacrifices. The soaring cost of survival transforms everyday life into a silent struggle.This convergence of economic strain and social alienation has escalated beyond a mental health crisis into a profound moral and emotional rupture.Understanding mental health requires a team effort that includes active support from families, communities, and, most importantly, the government — in addition to professional psychiatric care. Families help to keep stress levels from rising by offering daily guidance and crucial emotional stability. A stigma-free culture that enables people to seek assistance without fear of criticism must be promoted by society. The provision of easily accessible mental health treatment, awareness-raising initiatives, and laws that tackle structural stresses like discrimination, high living expenses, and unemployment are all crucial tasks for governments. Mental health may only become a shared communal concern — and cease to be a personal problem — through an integrated social approach.The writer teaches at Dr B R Ambedkar College, University of Delhi