Stigmas Against Mental Health in India: A Case Study of Hanumangarh, Rajasthan

Objective: Today, the popular culture in the West has normalized the importance of mental health and the treatment of mental health issues. With ever-increasing access to technology and technological advancement, information about mental health and mental health issues is ideally available to everyone. This paper tries to test the perception of people towards mental health issues in India by using a semi-urban Indian town as a case study. Methods/Design: The paper uses already existing literature as its base methodology and interviews of mental health professionals in Hanumangarh, Rajasthan. The questions are about the professional’s everyday experiences working in a semi-urban setting, the number and types of clients they see, the clients’ and the general public’s opinion on mental health, and the professional’s opinion on things that could be done to reduce stigma against mental health issues. Results: Already existing literature shows that in India, mental health issues are stigmatized and this stigma can have serious impacts like delay in treatment. The availability of information has also had its repercussions like the inappropriate use of mental health-related vocabulary which further puts shame on people going through mental health issues. The answers from the professionals also corroborate this narrative. Conclusion: India has come a long way in its perception of mental health and mental health issues. However, a lot needs to be done to destigmatize mental health entirely. People are more open to psychiatric intervention but don’t have the same amount of faith in non-medicinal therapy approaches.