There is so much of conversation now about how depression and anxiety disorders impacts us and how widespread the prevalence is. Are these western concepts and ideas that Indians are now falling prey to? Was there any awareness of mental health in India before the British came? 

Ancient India
Mental health as a concept has been present in India right from the Vedic times. The Vedas (1550-500 BC)  describe a variety of mental disorders including depression, anxiety and schizophrenia.  Later, Gautama Buddha (6 BC) taught that mental illness is caused by negative thoughts and emotions. He developed a system of meditation to help people deal with their mental illness. Ayurvedha has different categories for mental health and advocates the use of specific herbs as treatment along with yoga and meditation. 

Sushruta, a renowned Indian scholar of the 12th century wrote a treatise on health which included a chapter on mental health. He described various ailments and recommended the use of herbs. The Islamic influence on India from the 16thcentury, introduced new perspectives on mental health. They had a number of terms for different types of mental illness, and they recognized that it could be caused by a variety of factors, including physical illness, emotional trauma, and supernatural forces. However most religions saw people with mental illness as possessed by spirits or demons, and were treated with exorcisms or other religious rituals. In some cases, they were simply abandoned or left to fend for themselves.

The British times
When the British came, they brought Western concepts of mental health and psychiatry. The first mental hospital according to the Western Science in India was established in Mumbai in the year 1745, followed by Kolkata in 1784. Subsequently number of such hospitals increased significantly and by the year 1947, there were 31 mental hospitals in India. However these hospitals often faced criticism for their harsh treatment methodology. 

Independent India
After India gained independence in 1947, the newly formed Indian government established a national mental health program. This program focused on providing treatment for people with mental health concerns and on raising awareness about mental health issues. The National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences was established in 1954 as a major centre for mental health research and treatment. The Mental Health Act of 1987 aimed to protect the rights of individuals with mental illness and promised community based support. More recently, the Mental Healthcare Act of 2017 provides a legal framework for the care and treatment of people with mental illness. It also guarantees the rights of people with mental illness, such as the right to be treated with dignity and respect, the right to informed consent, and the right to refuse treatment.

In the recent years, there is growing awareness of mental health concerns. Newspaper articles, fictional stories, autobiographies, mainstream movies have all come out on the topic, increasing awareness and reducing stigma. However we have a long way to go before every citizen of this country has the courage to come forward to seek treatment for mental illness if needed and has access to affordable healthcare but we are moving in the right direction.