Union Budget 2026's Mental Health Focus: Policy Over Practical Change
The Union Budget for 2026-27 has allocated Rs 1,06,530.42 crore to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, marking a nearly 10 per cent increase from previous years. Amidst this boost, mental health care has been highlighted in government documents, yet experts argue that the measures fall short of addressing the urgent crisis faced by millions of Indians.
Budget Allocations and Ground Realities
According to the National Mental Health Survey, India suffers from a critical shortage of mental health professionals, with only 0.75 psychiatrists and 0.07 clinical psychologists per 100,000 population. This is far below the World Health Organization's recommendation of 3 per 100,000. The budget includes proposals to upgrade premier institutions in Ranchi and Tezpur, establish a NIMHANS in North India, and increase the Tele Manas budget from Rs 45 crore to Rs 51 crore. However, with nearly 197 million Indians experiencing mental health issues and 72 to 90 per cent lacking access to proper treatment, these steps are seen as insufficient.
Expert Criticisms: Symbolism vs. Substance
Dr Anirudh Kala, former head of the Psychiatry Department at CMC Ludhiana, describes the budget's mental health push as symbolic. He emphasizes the need for immediate funds for routine care at the outpatient department level to address rising suicides. "We need such institutes in every city to make treatment accessible and affordable," he states, pointing out that new institutions like NIMHANS-2 will not be available immediately.
Dr Nimesh G Desai, former director of IHBAS, notes a gap between policy and implementation. He argues that while Tele Manas is a good initiative, it functions more as a helpline than a comprehensive counselling service. "Our financial priorities should reflect preventive aspects rooted in Indian culture and ethos," he asserts, criticizing the reliance on Western models in the National Mental Health Policy.
Shortage of Skilled Professionals
Dr RP Beniwal, Professor of Psychiatry at Dr RML Hospital, acknowledges the good intent behind initiatives like Tele Manas and NIMHANS-2 but calls them too late. He highlights the dire need for mental health professionals, as mandated by the Mental Healthcare Act 2017 and the National Medical Commission. "Most Central government hospitals in Delhi lack permanent clinical psychologists," he explains, adding that this gap affects assessments for children with disabilities, potentially increasing the disability burden.
Pathways to Improvement
Dr Pratima Murthy, Director of NIMHANS Bengaluru, stresses the need for capacity building at the primary level through regional centres and strengthening of mental hospitals. "Investment in institutions will have long-term benefits for training and delivering affordable care," she says, emphasizing the importance of cultural and linguistic context in mental health services.
Key recommendations from experts include:
- Creating infrastructure for OPDs and counselling services at entry levels.
- Implementing a National Suicide Prevention Programme similar to TB/leprosy/AIDS control initiatives.
- Recruiting more professionals and launching massive awareness campaigns.
Ultimately, experts agree that addressing India's mental health crisis requires political will, adequate funding, and a trained human resource base. The budget's acknowledgments are a step, but transformative action remains elusive.
