Given mental health of youth will drive the future economy, the Survey suggests some areas where the government has to step in for impactful preventive strategies and interventions as India’s demographic dividend is riding on skills, education and physical health.
Given the direct costs to human welfare and the spirit and sentiment of the nation, putting mental well-being at the centre of the economic agenda is prudent, it said.
“Post-facto treatment will not be sufficient. It is about time to find viable, impactful preventive strategies and interventions,” said finance ministry economists led by chief economic adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran.
The Economic Survey 2023-24 focused on the impact of screen time and ultra-processed foods on children. In the Survey for 2024-25 examines the impact of work culture, lifestyle and eating habits on mental health. These are some of the areas where the state has to step in, it said.
Scientific evidence abounds that the consumption of ultra-processed foods (High in Fat, Salt and Sugar or HFSS) is a big factor in undermining both physical and mental health. In this regard, globally, self-regulation has been ineffective. The Survey suggested the need for stringent front-of-the-pack labelling rules and enforcement.
Ultra-processed foods are too big to ignore. According to a WHO report published in 2023, India’s consumption of ultra-processed foods shot up from about USD 900 million in 2006 to over $37.9 billion in 2019, an annual compounded growth rate of over 33%.
While the low levels of mental well-being are worrying, the ramifications of these trends on the economy are equally disturbing. Citing a survey, the economists said individuals with well-being scores between -100 and -50 are unable to work about 15 days a month, while those with scores between 100 and 150 are unable to work three days a month, and those with scores about 150 are unable to work only two days a month. In addition to impacting mental well-being and lifestyle, the workplace culture also affects productivity.
Better lifestyle choices/workplace cultures and family relationships are associated with 2-3 fewer days lost per month at work. Having poor relationships with managers and low (worst) pride and purpose at work are associated with the largest increases in the number of days one is unable to work.
The increase in mental health issues in children and adolescents is often linked to the overuse of the internet and, specifically, social media.
The recent announcements by the government of Australia to ban the use of social media by children below 16 years of age is a testimony to the gravity of the situation, it said. Similar interventions are being discussed in Sweden and Spain.
While these interventions at the government level are being contemplated, there is an urgent need for school and family-level interventions to encourage healthy pastimes (meeting with friends, playing outside). Investing time in building close family bonds would go a long way towards keeping children and adolescents away from the internet and improving mental well-being.
A study by the WHO finds that globally, about 12 billion days are lost annually due to depression and anxiety, amounting to a financial loss of $1 trillion. In rupee terms, this translates to about Rs 7,000 per day.