Dr. Dhamodharan M, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, SRM University, AP
Every human must remember that there is no health without mental health. Mental health is a powerful tool for managing day-to-day challenges and maintaining a balanced lifestyle. The theme for World Mental Health Day 2025 focuses on addressing the mental health and psychosocial needs of people affected by humanitarian emergencies such as natural disasters and public health crises. Extending support to individuals or groups during times of crisis is not merely an act of help that saves lives, builds confidence, and provides the space for coping and recovery.Giving importance to mental health is essential for everyone. However, this cannot be achieved through a single effort, it requires a collective commitment from the government, the public, schools, and community organizations. Togethercan protect everyone’s well-being through collaboration and mutual support. Moreover, there is a pressing need for community-based interventions that address immediate mental health needs and empower marginalized groups positively and inclusively. We must all work together to create an equal world for mental health that a world where mental health is valued, accessible, and protected for every individual.
Mental Health of Refugees and Migrants
Many people migrate from their birthplace, some by choice, others out of necessity. However, a significant number are forcibly displaced from their place of origin due to conflict, violence, war, or natural disasters. In addition, some individuals are compelled to move because of adverse conditions such as inhumane treatment, economic hardship, or violations of social and human rights. Everyone experiences stress and social disruption during crises, as homes are lost, families are separated, and communities are fractured. These impacts often persist for a long time, even after physical safety is restored. While recovery and resilience are crucial, mental health must not be left without care and support. Consistent attention to mental well-being should remain a priority in all emergencies. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in five peopleis affected by mental health problems under normal conditions. However, during times of crisis, the number of people affected increases significantly, making mental health support even more essential.
Migrants and refugees face multiple layers of stress throughout their lives after crises. They are often forced to leave behind their homes, communities, and sense of belonging, only to begin a new life in unfamiliar environments filled with uncertainty and fear. WHO data reveals that more than 123 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide in 2024. Shockingly, over 70 percent of these individuals are accommodated in low and middle-income countries where health care systems are already under severe strain. As a result, access to mental health and psychosocial assistance remains extremely limited, leaving millions to cope with invisible wounds on their own.
Refugees and migrants often require enhanced mental health support, which depends on factors such as their country of basis, migration distance, accommodate country policies, and the living and working restrictions in their new location. Despite this need, refugees and migrants continue to face significant barriers that hinder their insertion in society and limit their access to and acceptance of mental health provisions.
The following stages create mental health issues for refugees and migrants.
| Stages | Issues |
| Pre-Migration | Lack of livelihoods, education opportunities, armed conflict, violence, naturaldisasters, poverty. |
| Migration | Life-threatening incidents, violence, lack of basic services, and insufficient economic support. |
| Post Migration | Barriers to accessing mental and physical healthcare services, poor living conditions, separation from one’s home and family members, legal challenges, and discrimination. |
| Integration and Settlement | Poor working and environmental conditions, unemployment, assimilation difficulties, threats related to religion, caste, and racism, social exclusion, tensions with the host population, and social isolation. |
Source: World Health Organization (WHO) and The UN Refugee Agency
Due to the above-mentioned issues, migrants and refugees face several psychological problems. Among pre-existing conditions, people may experience mental health disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, and harmful use of drugs or alcohol. During emergencies, individuals often suffer from grief, stress, substance abuse, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In the humanitarian response phase, anxiety may arise due to a lack of information, limited access to food, and other basic amenities.Focusing these involves targeted, multi-disciplinary act, including ethnicallyresponsive and combined care, community support, legitimatesupport and community engagement.
Mental Health in India
According to data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India, which constitutes nearly 18% of the world’s population, is facing a serious mental health crisis. The economic loss due to mental health issues is projected to reach an alarming USD 1.03 trillion by 2030, highlighting the urgent need for stronger mental health policies and interventions. Over 70% of people in India do not seek proper treatment for mental health problems. The reasons include low awareness, social humiliation, and a severe lack of mental health professionals across the country. Shockingly, there are only 0.75 mental health professionals available per 100,000 people in India, underneath the World Health Organization’s (WHO) advice of at least 3 psychiatrists per 100,000 people.
MENTAL HEALTH EVOLUTION IN INDIA
Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (2025)
The Government of India began prioritizing mental health in 1982 with the launch of the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP), marking the beginning of a long-term commitment that continues to grow today. Over the years, several key initiativesfrom NMHP to Tele-MANAS that strengthened the country’s mental health framework. The introduction of KIRAN and Tele-MANAS represents significant progress in making mental health support more accessible through digital platforms.Since its launch, Tele-MANAS has handled over 1.81 billion calls, reflecting its growing reach and impact. Currently, there are 53 Tele-MANAS cells operating across various states, supported by 23 mentoring institutes nationwide and five regional centresthat are responsible for monitoring and enhancing service accessibility. The key services offered through Tele-MANAS include immediate telephonic counselling, consultations with qualified psychiatrists for severe cases, awareness campaigns through online platforms, and mobile-based mental health interventions designed to support people in rural and remote areas. Additionally, video consultation services have been introduced in the states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Jammu & Kashmir, further expanding the accessibility and effectiveness of mental health support across India. The latest upgrade introduces a multilingual user interface, enhanced accessibility features for visually impaired users, an AI-powered virtual assistant named Asmi, and an integrated emergency response module. With this advancement, the application will now be available in ten additional regional languages, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Odia, and Punjabi alongside English and Hindi. The new accessibility features aim to make the platform more inclusive for persons with disabilities and vulnerable communities, while the AI chatbot and emergency response module provide real-time assistance, guidance, and support.In world mental health day observance 2025, Actor Deepika Padukone was appointed as India’s first Mental Health Ambassador, a move expected to greatly enhance public awareness and reduce stigma surrounding mental health issues across the nation.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recognized India’s Tele-MANAS programme as aeffective and available mental health solution, naming mental healthcare furthercomprehensive andaffordable.
TELE MANAS SCHEME
Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (2025)
Silent Mental Health Emergency in India
Despite all developments related to mental health in India, children and aged people face more depression due to migrants in India. During the COVID-19 pandemic, rates of mood disorders, psychotic disorders, and post-traumatic stress disordersare increased. It must strengthen its mental health support systems to make them more accessible and responsive for migrants and refugees. Following suggestions should follow to give proper mental health support to the migrants and refugees.
The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support – Minimum Services Package (MHPSS MSP), developed with support from United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA) serves as a vital framework for protecting mental well-being during crises.
According to the IOM (UN Migration), MHPSS is a lifesaving intervention that prevents long-term psychological harm, lowers suicide risk, and helps individuals cope and recover under extreme stress. It not only supports survival but also builds resilience, protection, and community recovery. However, despite its critical role, MHPSS programmes globally face severe funding shortages, endangering access for over 500,000 people in 2025. With only 2% of national health budgets worldwide dedicated to mental health, there’s an urgent need to close this gap and safeguard decades of progress in mental health care.
- The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Department of Disaster Management should integrate the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support – Minimum Services Package (MHPSS MSP) principles into all national crisis and disaster management plans.
- Standard remuneration and job security must be ensured for Tele-MANAS counsellors and mental health professionals to strengthen the mental health care workforce. The ratio of mental health professionals should be increased to at least 5 per 100,000 population to meet the growing demand for services.
- Special attention should be provided to marginalized and vulnerable groups in mental health care, including farmers, homemakers, students, survivors of abuse and crises, and migrants. Improving coping mechanisms and resilience developing, and social networks through government schemes.
- There is also a need for stronger regulations in digital mental health support systems. More AI-assisted, multilingual, and accessible applications should be developed for disadvantaged populations, supported by the appointment of trained professionals to provide effective guidance and care.
- Communal-based mental health assistance, fellow support groups, and culturally customized counselling methods should create in rural areas.
- Finally, dedicated funding for mental health research, particularly longitudinal studies on MHPSS MSP implementation.In addition, Combined efforts of mental health professionals, policy developers, entrepreneurs, academicians, and social scientists for psychosocial intervention for mental health care of migrant population.
It is essential to identify sustainable, effective, and accessible models of psychosocial support in humanitarian and disaster contexts. This will help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, promoting equity and positive mental health.
