More mental health challenges being seen in students, working professionals between 18–35 years: Expert

The last 10 years have seen a marked rise in incidence of mental health concerns in India such as anxiety disorders depression sleep disturbances and burnoutrelated complaints Younger adults especially students and working professionals are particularly effectedAccording to WHO estimates nearly 1 in 5 Indians may experience some form of mental health concern in their lifetime but actual figures are likely higher due to underreporting and stigma believes Dr Prof Kunal Bahrani who is the clinical director Neurology Marengo Asia Hospitals in Faridabad ahead of World Mental Health DayEvery year World Mental Health Day 2025 is observed on October 10 to raise awareness about the importance of taking care of ones mental healthExplaining the spike Dr Bahrani adds ldquoA decade ago mental health challenges were predominantly seen in middleaged adults Today the fastestgrowing group is young adults between 18ndash35 years especially students and working professionals Prolonged screen exposure erratic work hours and the lsquoalwaysonrsquo culture have led to rising digital fatigue anxiety and sleep deprivation Irsquom also seeing early signs of stressinduced neurological conditions in this demographicrdquoHe adds ldquoThere has been a 30ndash40 per cent increase in stress and anxietyrelated consultations in the past five years alone The Covid19 pandemic acted as a catalyst bringing preexisting mental fragilities to the surface However whatrsquos equally concerning is the chronicity mdash many individuals remain in prolonged states of stress without seeking helprdquoDr Bahrani further said that brain and mind are deeply interconnected ldquoChronic stress and anxiety can alter neurotransmitter balance like serotonin and dopamine and even lead to structural changes in particular areas of the brain such as the hippocampus and amygdala These changes affect memory mood and cognitive function The good news is that with early intervention therapy medication and lifestyle changes many of these effects are reversiblerdquo he addedAccording to the health expert the top triggers in todayrsquos patients for mental health include sleep deprivation constant connectivity performance pressure and digital overload ldquoSocial media comparison long work hours and lack of real downtime have created what I call the lsquosilent burnoutrsquo The human brain isnrsquot wired for roundtheclock stimulation When rest is chronically sacrificed emotional resilience weakensrdquo he saidDr Bahrani stated that there are several early neurological symptoms that people should not ignore as these may indicate deeper mental health distress ldquoPersistent headaches memory lapses irritability poor concentration chronic fatigue and unexplained body pain are common red flags of mental health problems Many times patients first consult neurologists for these symptoms without realizing that they stem from emotional distress Timely recognition and mental health support can prevent escalation into clinical depression or anxiety disordersrdquo he addedPeople can do many things daily to strengthen their brainndashmind connection and prevent burnout and mental exhaustion ldquoSimple daily rituals go a long way One must ensure 7ndash8 hours of quality sleep maintain a balanced diet rich in omega3 and B vitamins engage in mindful exercise or meditation limit screen exposure before bed and dedicate time for human connection Periodic ldquodigital detoxrdquo weekend is also a powerful tool to preserve mental clarityrdquo Dr Kunal Bahrani saidStigma around mental illness remains one of the biggest barriers in prompt diagnosis and treatment of related neurological issues Many patients hesitate to discuss anxiety or depression until symptoms become neurological such as insomnia panic attacks or migraines It is crucial that we normalize mental health conversations especially in workplaces and schools and integrate mental wellbeing into overall health checkups he said