Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Anxiety and depression more prevalent among women than men in India: Study

More women suffer from depression and anxiety disorders in India than men do, new data shows. Among women with depression, the likelihood of them dying by suicide is higher than it is in the case of men suffering from the same disorder, a first of its kind study published in The Lancet Psychiatry today has revealed.

The study, the first comprehensive estimate of the disease burden due to mental health disorders across India, has found that from the year 1990-2017, the share of mental health disorders in the country had doubled.


In 2017, one in seven Indians suffered from mental health disorders of varying severity, including depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, idiopathic developmental intellectual disability and autism. The prevalence of depressive disorders stood at 3.9 per cent among women, and 2.7 per cent among men; about 3.9 per cent women had anxiety disorders while the corresponding number stood at 3.3 per cent for the men.

“Aside of the fact that the burden of these disorders is higher among women, fewer women also seek treatment for mental health issues,” said Dr Rajesh Sagar, professor, psychiatry, AIIMS.

“Biologically, women are more predisposed to certain kinds of depressive disorders such as post-partum depression. Social factors such as domestic violence and dowry-related issues also affect the mental health of women,” said Sagar.

The new data has also revealed a stronger link between depression and suicide among women than among men, he added.

When it comes to women, suicide and mental health disorders, the story has only begun to unfold lately, said Dr Rakhi Dandona, professor, Public Health Foundation of India.

In 2018, Dandona was the lead author of a study titled 'Gender differentials and state variations in suicide deaths (1990-2016)' that was published in The Lancet, that revealed that though the suicide rate was higher among men than women, the rate for women was twice the global average.

The women who died by suicide were highest in the age group of 15-29 years, also the time period when women are likely to get married and encounter different issues, said Dandona. “Issues within marriage including violence is normalised, and help is not sought,” she added.

Studies have shown that compared to men, more women have suicidal thoughts, and are known to have a higher number of attempts at killing themselves, Dandona said. Men, on the other hand, died by suicide with fewer attempts.

Professor Balram Bhargava, Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Health Research and Director General, ICMR said that the study findings demonstrate important differences between the states—the prevalence of adult mental disorders is higher in the southern states and that of childhood-onset mental disorders is higher in the northern states of India.

“The insights provided by this study are important for titrating strategies for mental health improvement in each state. Given the significant contribution of mental disorders to the disease burden in India, further research should continue to track the changing trends of mental disorders in different parts of the country.”

The study utilizes all “accessible relevant” data from India over the past three decades and reports that mental disorders are the leading cause of non-fatal disease burden in India and their contribution to the total disease burden is increasing, said professor Lalit Dandona.

“The high rate of depression among the older adults reported in this study is of concern which needs attention, and the significant association of suicide with depression emphasises the need to identify and deal with depression through wider efforts in the community and in the health system,” he added.

The need to strengthen mental health services, integrate them with general healthcare, and remove barriers such as stigma and access to treatment, was also emphasized.

“It is time to act at all levels with all stakeholders to bring mental health at the forefront to reduce the burden. An interesting finding revealed by this study is the slower pace of improvement in the burden of childhood mental disorders such as developmental intellectual disability and conduct disorder in the less developed states of the country which should be examined,” said Sagar.

More For You

Amazon Prime Day deals

This year’s event extended to a full 96 hours running

iStock

15 best Amazon Prime Day deals to grab before Friday

Key points

 
     
  • Prime Day 2025 runs from 8–11 July in the UK
  •  
  • Top discounts on tech, beauty, home and essentials
  •  
  • Must-have offers include deals on Dyson, Nespresso, Oral-B, and more
  •  
  • Exclusive to Amazon Prime members (free trial available)

Amazon Prime Day 2025 is well underway, with this year’s event extended to a full 96 hours running from Tuesday 8 July to Friday 11 July. With thousands of products on offer across nearly every category, shoppers in the UK can enjoy steep discounts on everyday essentials, big-ticket tech, and top-rated beauty favourites.

We’ve sifted through the extensive listings to highlight 15 of the best value-for-money deals currently live, with savings of up to 60%. All prices are correct at the time of writing and exclusive to Prime members.

Keep ReadingShow less
5 secret beaches

Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire, Wales

iStock

5 secret beaches in the UK that feel like the tropics

Key points

  • Discover hidden UK beaches with turquoise waters and golden sands
  • Ideal for summer staycations without the cost of long-haul travel
  • Includes lesser-known spots in Wales, Scotland, Cornwall, and more
  • Perfect for quiet escapes, coastal walks, and Instagram-worthy views

Escape to paradise – no passport required

Think you need to fly halfway across the world for clear blue water and white sand? Think again. The UK is home to a surprising number of secluded beaches that look straight out of the Caribbean – without the crowds or jet lag. From hidden coves in Cornwall to windswept bays in the Scottish Highlands, here are some of the most tropical-looking beaches on British soil.

1. Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire, Wales

Often dubbed the UK’s answer to the Caribbean, this National Trust-owned gem boasts golden sand, crystal-clear waters, and dramatic cliffs. Accessed by a half-mile walk from Stackpole Quay, it remains blissfully untouched by development.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ping Pong restaurant chain shuts all UK branches

The chain had also gained a following for its themed brunches

iStock

Ping Pong restaurant chain shuts all UK branches after 20 years

Key points

  • Chinese dim sum restaurant Ping Pong has closed all its UK locations
  • The chain made the announcement via social media
  • Founded in 2005, the brand thanked customers and staff for their support
  • Loyal diners shared memories and disappointment in the comments

All branches are permanently closed

Chinese restaurant chain Ping Pong has permanently closed all its branches in the UK, the company confirmed in a social media announcement.

Founded in 2005 by restaurateur Kurt Zdesar, the dim sum chain had become popular for its stylish interiors, creative menus, and Asian-inspired cocktails. The company did not provide prior notice of the closure but said the decision marked the end of an “unforgettable” 20-year journey.

Keep ReadingShow less
New Covid strain

Experts have raised concerns about the immune-evasive nature of the Stratus strain

iStock

New Covid strain Stratus spreads in UK with unusual hoarse voice symptom

Key points

  • A new Covid strain known as Stratus is spreading across the UK
  • The variant is marked by a distinctive symptom: a hoarse or raspy voice
  • Sub-variants XFG and XFG.3 now account for 30% of cases in England
  • Experts say there is no evidence of more severe disease
  • Lower immunity levels may make more people vulnerable to infection

Covid variant Stratus on the rise in the UK

A new strain of Covid-19, known as Stratus, is spreading across the UK and drawing attention for its unusual symptom — a hoarse or raspy voice. According to data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Stratus and its two sub-variants, XFG and XFG.3, are responsible for around 30 per cent of Covid cases in England.

Of the two, XFG.3 is currently the more dominant. The UKHSA confirmed that monitoring of all circulating Covid-19 variants is ongoing as part of regular surveillance.

Keep ReadingShow less
Human brain continues forming neurons

Neurogenesis, the process by which new neurons form in the brain

iStock

Human brain continues forming neurons well into old age, study finds

Key points

  • New neurons continue forming in the brain’s hippocampus into old age
  • Study confirms presence of neural progenitor cells in adults
  • DNA carbon dating and single-nucleus RNA sequencing were used
  • Research shows variation in neuron production between individuals
  • Findings could aid treatments for neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders

Human brain shows ongoing neuron formation into older age

A new study has confirmed that the human brain continues to produce new nerve cells well into late adulthood, challenging previous assumptions about age-related decline in neurogenesis. The findings, published in the journal Science, provide fresh insight into how adaptable the brain remains over a lifetime.

Neurogenesis, the process by which new neurons form in the brain, is known to occur in the hippocampus — a region involved in memory. While previous research has suggested that this process continues throughout life, there has been limited concrete evidence of the presence of neural progenitor cells in the adult brain.

Keep ReadingShow less