Report Points to Delays in Accessing Mental Health Services

Summary:
The Amaha Mental Health Report 2026, based on responses from 13,825 people, highlights significant delays in accessing mental healthcare in India, with over half of respondents waiting more than a year to seek professional help and 56.2% experiencing thoughts of self-harm beforehand. Anxiety, stress and low mood were among the most common concerns, while many relied on self-help or avoidance-based coping strategies before seeking treatment. The report also found that mental health difficulties affected daily functioning, particularly among students and unemployed individuals. Amaha founder Dr Amit Malik stressed the importance of timely, effective treatment and support from families, friends and communities. 

More than half of people seeking mental health support in India delayed consulting professionals for over a year, while 56.2 per cent experienced thoughts of self-harm before seeking help, according to a report drawing on responses from 13,825 individuals.

The findings appear in The Amaha Mental Health Report 2026: Understanding the Journey to Care in India, which explored people’s experiences before receiving professional support between October 2025 and September 2026. Just 11.3 per cent of respondents sought assistance within one month of first experiencing mental health concerns.

The report revealed that 94.9 per cent of participants dealt with at least two issues at the same time, with an average of five concerns per person. Anxiety was the most frequently reported problem, affecting 72.1 per cent, followed by stress at 67.5 per cent, low mood at 58.3 per cent, relationship difficulties at 55.6 per cent and recurring mood swings at 54.1 per cent.

Before consulting mental health professionals, 54.5 per cent of respondents turned to friends or family, while 44.6 per cent attempted self-help. Nearly one-third had previously tried therapy, and 19.4 per cent had received medication prescriptions. Avoidance-based coping methods, including excessive screen use, sleeping too much and overworking, were reported by 82.7 per cent of participants. Another 15.4 per cent said they had used alcohol or other harmful substances.

Self-harm thoughts were reported by 71.7 per cent of students and 64.7 per cent of unemployed participants, compared with 53.2 per cent of employed professionals.

Mental health challenges also affected people’s ability to manage everyday responsibilities. Only 12.3 per cent said they could complete all their daily tasks, while 27.3 per cent reported managing very few or none.

Dr Amit Malik, psychiatrist and founder of Amaha, said the success of mental healthcare should be assessed by how quickly people receive support and how effectively they are treated. He also highlighted the importance of families, friends and communities in helping individuals identify mental health concerns and access appropriate care.