Sapna Vaid

In a country that prides itself on family values and reverence for elders, a quiet crisis is unfolding behind closed doors. India is aging rapidly—but along with wrinkles and wisdom, millions of our elderly are carrying an invisible burden: a mental illness that no one wants to talk about.

Conversations around mental health are finally starting to take root in India. Celebrities are speaking openly about their struggles, companies are rolling out wellness initiatives, and platforms like social media are full of posts about therapy, anxiety, and self-care. It’s encouraging to see younger generations breaking the silence, but amid this, our elderly remain unheard, quietly carrying their emotional burdens alone.

In many Indian households, mental health is still not spoken about; it's surrounded by stigma, confusion, and sometimes even shame. It’s still common to say, “Don’t be so weak,” or “What will people say?” Even today, emotional distress is explained away with superstitions or dismissed as mere overthinking. And when it comes to older people, it’s often brushed off with, “It’s just old age.”

However, the numbers tell a different story.

India is grappling with a serious mental health challenge—over 197 million people in the country are living with mental disorders. That means roughly 1 in 10 adults are currently struggling, and nearly 14% will face a mental health issue at some point in their lives. These aren’t just numbers; they represent real people navigating their pain in silence. And among those hit the hardest are our senior citizens.

With around 83.58 million people aged 60 and above, India’s elderly population is facing a mental health crisis that often goes unnoticed. Studies suggest that between 17 to 34 million older adults are living with undiagnosed conditions like depression, anxiety, or cognitive disorders such as dementia.

The situation is especially troubling in old-age homes. Research shows that nearly two-thirds—up to 64.4%—of residents in these facilities are dealing with some form of mental health problem. It’s a ticking pandemic unfolding behind closed doors.

Many of them have been left behind by families or are there because of necessity. These elderly in old age homes are not just statistics; they are parents, grandparents, retired teachers, artists, farmers, etc. People who once lived full, vibrant lives, now battling silence, loneliness, and despair.

It’s easy to miss the signs. An elderly man who becomes withdrawn, a grandmother who keeps forgetting names, or someone who has simply lost interest in everything—these are not just signs of aging; these can be symptoms of depression or cognitive illness.

Unfortunately, many families either don’t recognize the signs or, worse, ignore them. Conversations around mental health are hard enough. Add in generational gaps, deeply ingrained taboos, and a lack of awareness, and the result is that countless elderly people suffer alone, physically present, but emotionally fading.

There are many reasons why older adults are more vulnerable to mental health challenges. Loneliness, the death of a spouse, financial insecurity, ongoing health problems, and the painful feeling of being a burden can all take a toll on their emotional well-being. While some live with their adult children, those families are often stretched thin, juggling work, responsibilities, and their day-to-day stresses -- leaving little time or energy to connect.

Others live alone, managing both health and home. And yes, elder abuse—emotional, verbal, or even physical—remains an uncomfortable reality in many households.

What’s worse, India doesn’t have nearly enough geriatric mental health professionals. Mental health is often not a part of routine healthcare for the elderly. In most hospitals, unless there’s an emergency, no doctors inquire about elderly patients' emotional health.

The younger generations, who have access to online therapy and support groups, many seniors simply don’t have the digital skills or confidence to seek help through those channels.

Where do we go from here?

First, we must start by holding a conversation with the elders in our homes. Ask them not just about their knees or blood pressure, but about how they feel. What are they thinking? What are they afraid of? Sometimes, all they need is to be heard.

Second, healthcare needs to catch up. Routine screenings for mental health should be part of every elderly person’s check-up. Doctors and caregivers need better training to recognise the emotional struggles of older patients. The government must invest in senior-specific mental health programs—not as a side initiative, but as a core part of public health.

Community centres, senior clubs, and even temples can become safe spaces for connection and healing. NGOs already working in elderly care should expand their focus to include emotional wellness. Small steps—like phone call check-ins, storytelling groups, or grief circles—can go a long way in bringing comfort.

Above all, we need to rethink aging. Getting older shouldn't mean slipping into the background. It should be a phase of life marked by respect, comfort, and emotional well-being, not quiet suffering.

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Mental health isn’t just something the young struggle with—it affects all of us. Our elders, who’ve spent a lifetime caring for others, shouldn’t be left to navigate it on their own.