More than half of the people who approached a mental healthcare provider for support reported experiencing thoughts of self-harm before seeking professional help, according to the Amaha Mental Health Report 2026. The report found that 56.2% of respondents had experienced such thoughts before beginning care. The proportion was even higher among students, at 71.7%.
The findings also highlight delays in accessing mental healthcare. Around 53% of respondents said they had been living with mental health concerns for more than a year before their first professional session. The report points to the challenges people face while managing emotional distress, seeking support and finding appropriate care.
Titled The Amaha Mental Health Report 2026: Understanding the Journey to Care in India, the report is based on responses from 13,825 people collected between October 2025 and September 2026, before they began receiving care from Amaha.
The findings reflect the experiences of people who approached Amaha and should not be interpreted as representative estimates for India’s entire population.
Mental Health Report 2026: Students Reported the Highest Levels of Self-Harm Thoughts
The report found that thoughts of self-harm were reported across different groups, including students, unemployed individuals and working professionals. Students recorded the highest proportion among the groups highlighted.
The figures were as follows:
- Students: 71.7% reported thoughts of self-harm.
- Unemployed respondents: 64.7% reported similar experiences.
- Working professionals: 53.2% reported such thoughts.
These findings indicate that people from different educational and employment backgrounds can experience significant emotional distress. However, the report does not establish that a person’s employment status or student status causes such experiences.
The findings underline the importance of recognising mental health concerns and ensuring that people can access appropriate support when they need it.
Why Do People Wait Before Seeking Mental Healthcare?
One of the report’s key findings concerns the time people spend managing mental health difficulties before approaching a professional. Only 11.3% of respondents sought care within one month of experiencing mental health concerns, while 53% reported waiting for more than 12 months before their first session.
During this period, many people relied on informal support or tried to manage their difficulties themselves. According to the report, 54.5% spoke to friends or family, while 44.6% used self-help resources such as books, applications, YouTube or online communities.
The report also examined the coping methods people used before receiving professional care. Around 82.7% reported avoidant coping behaviours, including excessive screen time, oversleeping or overworking. Meanwhile, 43.1% reported adaptive coping methods such as exercise and journalling, while 15.4% reported using alcohol or other potentially harmful substances.
These figures describe the experiences reported by respondents and do not necessarily reflect the coping patterns of the wider Indian population.
Anxiety, Stress and Low Mood Were Among the Most Common Concerns
The report found that mental health difficulties frequently occurred together rather than appearing in isolation. Approximately 94.9% of respondents reported experiencing at least two concerns at the same time.
Anxiety was the most commonly reported concern, affecting 72.1% of respondents. Stress followed at 67.5%, while 58.3% reported low mood.
Other concerns included relationship and interpersonal difficulties, frequent mood swings, trouble concentrating, repetitive thoughts and behaviours, low self-esteem and sleep disturbances.
The impact on everyday functioning was also significant for many respondents. According to the report, only 12.3% said they could manage all their daily activities, while 27.3% reported difficulty managing most or all of them.
The findings suggest that people approaching mental healthcare may be dealing with several overlapping challenges that affect their daily lives, relationships and general well-being.
Amaha Report Highlights the Need for Earlier Mental Health Support
Commenting on the findings, Dr Amit Malik, psychiatrist and founder of Amaha, said, “Finding treatment should not become another test of a person’s resilience.”
The report draws attention to the gap between experiencing mental health difficulties and receiving professional assistance. It also highlights the potential role of family members, friends and communities in recognising signs of distress and helping people find appropriate care.
The findings indicate that many respondents attempted to manage their concerns for extended periods before seeking professional support. Making it easier to recognise mental health difficulties and access appropriate services may help people seek assistance earlier.
The report offers insight into the experiences of individuals who approached Amaha for care, while also highlighting the importance of understanding the different challenges people face on their mental healthcare journeys.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and summarises findings from the Amaha Mental Health Report 2026. The statistics relate to respondents who approached Amaha and should not be treated as representative of India’s overall population. The information is not a substitute for professional medical or mental healthcare advice. Anyone experiencing emotional distress or thoughts of self-harm should seek support from a qualified mental health professional or appropriate emergency service.