Mental health must anchor public health

The article emphasizes the critical role of mental health in achieving 'Viksit Bharat 2047', highlighting that mental illness affects one in seven Indians and significantly impacts education, workforce, and physical health. It points out the large treatment gap and economic implications, advocating for mental health to be central to public health. It suggests leveraging existing infrastructure like Ayushman Bharat Arogya Mandirs, the District Mental Health Programme, and Tele-MANAS, and proposes three key priorities: empowering frontline health workers (ASHAs), investing in community-based care, and ensuring financial protection through schemes like PMJAY and the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017.