56.2% report self-harm thoughts before seeking mental healthcare, 53% delay help for over a year: Amaha

More than half of people who approached mental healthcare provider Amaha had experienced mental health concerns for over a year before seeking professional help, while 56.2% reported thoughts of self-harm during that period, according to the Amaha Mental Health Report 2026. The findings point to persistent gaps between experiencing psychological distress and accessing timely care.

Based on responses from 13,825 people across India between October 2025 and September 2026, the report found that only 11.3% sought help within a month of experiencing mental health concerns. The findings reflect people who approached Amaha for care and should not be interpreted as representative of India's overall population.

Anxiety, stress dominate reported concerns

Anxiety was the most frequently reported concern, affecting 72.1% of respondents, followed by stress at 67.5% and low mood at 58.3%. Relationship difficulties were reported by 55.6%, while sleep disturbances affected more than a third of those surveyed.

The report also highlighted the severity of distress among different groups. Students recorded the highest proportion of respondents reporting thoughts of self-harm, at 71.7%, followed by unemployed people at 64.7%. Among working professionals, 53.2% reported such thoughts.

Dr Amit Malik, psychiatrist, founder and chief executive officer of Amaha, cautioned against attributing student distress solely to academic pressure or career uncertainty. Bullying, difficult relationships, financial insecurity and underlying mental health conditions could also contribute, he said.

Daily functioning affected as distress persists

The findings point to the impact of mental health concerns on everyday life. Only 12.3% of respondents said they could manage all their daily tasks, while 27.3% reported being unable to manage most tasks or any at all.

The report also found that 82.7% relied on avoidant coping mechanisms, including excessive screen time, oversleeping and overworking. Another 15.4% reported turning to alcohol or other harmful substances.

Before approaching a professional, 54.5% had spoken to friends or family, while 44.6% had used self-help resources such as books, apps, videos and online communities. Nearly a third had tried therapy previously, and 19.4% had used prescribed medication.

Amaha flags need for timely, accessible care

Malik said progress on mental health should be measured by whether people can access effective treatment when they need it, rather than by awareness alone. He also highlighted the importance of integrating mental healthcare into primary healthcare to improve access beyond private providers.

The findings underscore the role of families, educational institutions and employers in recognising distress and helping people access professional support. However, the report's sample is limited to people who sought care from Amaha and does not establish the prevalence of these concerns among students, workers or the wider Indian population.