Mental illnesses catching them young: 60% of patients under 35

Times Of India

Overview of the Article

The article highlights a worrying mental health trend in India: a majority of people seeking psychiatric care are under the age of 35. Drawing on expert opinions and survey data, it links the early onset of mental illnesses to socio-economic uncertainty, digital overexposure, loneliness, academic pressure and post-pandemic stress. The piece frames youth mental health as an emerging public health crisis rather than an individual pathology.

Key Arguments

Early onset of mental illness
The central argument is that nearly 60% of mental health patients are below 35, with symptoms often beginning during adolescence or early adulthood.

Socio-economic stressors
Job insecurity, academic competition, uncertain career pathways and economic anxiety are identified as major triggers, particularly among urban youth.

Digital exposure and social isolation
Excessive screen time, social media comparison, online validation-seeking and reduced face-to-face interaction are presented as new-age risk factors.

Pandemic aftershocks
The COVID-19 period is described as a turning point that intensified anxiety, depression and behavioural disorders among young people.

Treatment gap and stigma
Despite rising prevalence, access to mental healthcare remains uneven, with stigma, cost and shortage of professionals limiting timely intervention.

Author’s Stance and Bias

Stance
The author adopts a cautionary and public-health-oriented stance, treating youth mental illness as a systemic outcome of structural and social pressures rather than personal failure.

Biases
There is a strong emphasis on environmental and societal causes, with relatively less discussion on biological predisposition or individual coping variability. Digital exposure is framed largely as harmful, with limited nuance.

Pros of the Argument

Shifts focus from stigma to systems
By locating mental illness within social and economic contexts, the article encourages empathy and policy-level responses.

Timely policy relevance
Youth mental health is framed as an urgent governance and development issue with long-term demographic implications.

Evidence-backed narrative
Use of surveys, expert commentary and institutional data lends credibility to the argument.

Limitations and Gaps

Urban-centric framing
Rural youth mental health challenges, though significant, receive limited attention.

Limited focus on solutions
While causes are extensively discussed, preventive and community-based interventions are less elaborated.

Risk of generalisation
Youth are treated as a homogeneous group despite wide variation across class, gender and region.

Policy Implications

Public health prioritisation
Mental health must be integrated into primary healthcare, school systems and workplace policies.

Education system reform
Academic pressure and evaluation models need reassessment to reduce psychological stress.

Digital governance and awareness
Responsible digital use, media literacy and early screening mechanisms become policy necessities.

Human resource investment
India needs a significant expansion of trained mental health professionals and counsellors.

Real-World Impact

If unaddressed, early-onset mental illness can reduce productivity, increase substance abuse, strain families and burden health systems. Conversely, early diagnosis and accessible care can improve outcomes, reduce long-term costs and support demographic dividend goals.

UPSC GS Paper Linkages

GS Paper I – Society
Youth issues, changing social structures, impact of technology on behaviour.

GS Paper II – Social Justice & Governance
Public health systems, mental healthcare access, vulnerable populations.

GS Paper III – Human Resource Development
Demographic dividend, workforce productivity, social capital.

GS Paper IV – Ethics
Compassion, social responsibility, mental well-being.

Conclusion and Future Perspective

The article underscores a critical generational challenge: mental illness is no longer a late-life phenomenon but a defining feature of youth experience in a rapidly changing society. While awareness is increasing, policy response remains fragmented. Going forward, India’s ability to harness its young population will depend not only on education and employment, but on whether mental health is treated as a foundational pillar of human development rather than a marginal medical issue.