People below 30 are most depression-prone according to this Practo survey

Depression is becoming a prevalent problem among Indians today and this is because of various factors such as stress, fast paced lives and changing value systems.

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Many people living in urban cities have been seeking medical help for various mental issues and major depressive disorder (MDD) which often have symptoms such as loss of interest and enjoyment in practically every aspect of life. Added to this are physical symptoms such as a heavy headache, backache, insomnia, difficulty in concentration, restlessness, stomach disorders, heaviness in the chest, weakness and blurred vision.

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Practo, India's leading healthcare startup released findings from its Healthcare Map of India highlighting the key mental health concerns in India’s top cities. These findings can help experts understand the state of mental health in the country so that more people can be encouraged to seek medical assistance.

The Practo healthcare map is a comprehensive look at the mental health trends across India. The report is based on those health care appointments that were booked on the platform along with online consultations across India with the focus on cities including Delhi & NCR, Bangalore, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai etc.

The report is entirely based on actual patient actions such as booking appointments with a doctor and online consultations with doctors, rather than a survey which makes it more realistic.

Report Findings

1. 78% of all doctor appointments related to mental illness booked were by people under 30

2. 79% of all online doctor consultations related to mental illness were done by people under 30

3. People in the age group of 18-24 visited mental health specialists the most followed by growth in the age group of 25-34

4. 62% growth in appointments booked for symptoms like depression and anxiety nationally.

5. 4x growth in patients consulting doctors online for such health concerns – meaning that increasingly patients are also exploring consulting doctors online as it gives them greater privacy and helps avoid the stigma these conditions can sometimes carry.

6. Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore saw the most appointments with mental health specialists.

7. Chennai and Kolkata saw the highest growth (57% and 24% respectively) in these appointments in 2016 as compared to 2015