India ranks 126th in World Happiness Index 2023 amidst rising mental health concerns
World Happiness Index for 2023, India finds itself ranked at the 126th position among 146 countries, marking it as one of the least joyful nations globally. This decline in happiness levels has been attributed to the growing mental health crisis in India, particularly in Gujarat, which has been exacerbated by the ongoing effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Recent data from Pharmarack reveals a substantial increase in the sale of antidepressants and mood stabilizer medicines, with India witnessing a remarkable 41% surge, climbing from Rs 1,382 crore in August 2019 to Rs 1,955 crore in August 2023.
Gujarat, too, exhibited a similar trend with a 35% rise in these sales during the same period.
The Moving Annual Total (MAT), which reflects the sales over a 12-month period on a rolling monthly basis, for antidepressants and mood stabilizers has surged from Rs 63 crore in August 2019 to Rs 85 crore in August 2023. Concurrently, the overall sale of drugs related to neurological and central nervous system (CNS) therapy increased by 28%, ascending from Rs 369 crore to Rs 473 crore.
Sheetal Sapale, Vice President of Marketing at Pharmarack, commented on the situation in a TOI report, saying, «Better awareness has played a pivotal role in the increased reporting of anxiety and depression cases since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.»
Since the pandemic, depression has become a significant global mental health concern, and India is no exception.
«Improved awareness has led to a significant rise in the number of young people, particularly adolescents and young adults, seeking therapy and treatment,» said Dr.
