Written by, Aug. 5 -- Twinkle Chandra, Moitrayee Das

Mental health continues to be a significantly neglected aspect of public health in India. According to national estimates, one in every seven Indians lives with a clinically diagnosable mental disorder (Sagar et al., 2020), yet nearly 83% of those in need receive no treatment at all (Sagar & Singh, 2022). This huge treatment gap, shaped by stigma, underfunded services, and structural apathy, has left millions navigating psychological distress alone. Public awareness may be growing, but stigma and fear of judgment remain deeply embedded in social institutions, from families to workplaces. In this vacuum of care, individuals suffering are searching for alternatives.

One such alternative...