Cases of anxiety and depression – usually considered problems of the urban population – have risen significantly in rural India, according to the recently released State of Healthcare in Rural India Report, 2024. According to research, more than 45 per cent of people living in villages suffer from anxiety – a feeling of fear, dread and uneasiness that can be a response to stress. Doctors say it affects both the body and mind and can cause physical and mental symptoms.

The report, which covered 5,389 families across 21 states, says the prevalence of mental health disorders has steadily increased across the country in recent years, raising public health concerns.

“The study shows that 45 per cent of the respondents, irrespective of gender, have anxiety and worry most of the time which affects their state of mind. The data shows that anxiety and worry affect the mental health of older people more than younger people,” the report states.

The report said 40 per cent of people aged 18-25 years admitted they reacted to certain things and situations with fear and nervousness – common symptoms of anxiety – and the proportion rose to 53 per cent among people aged 60 and above.

Neighborhoods of Care

The report, jointly prepared by non-profit organisation Transform Rural India and its initiative Development Intelligence Unit, also talks about the concept of neighbourhood of care as a fundamental shift in the approach to healthcare delivery.

This model emphasises on empowerment and capacity building of individuals, family members and community members in terms of knowledge and skills to perform and provide care efficiently and scientifically.

At least 73 per cent of rural households with elderly members require ongoing care for physical and mental health problems. And only 3 per cent provide external caregivers as a paid service. According to the survey, the majority, 95.7 per cent, prefer family caregivers, predominantly women, highlighting the need for caregiver training on home-based care.

Rural health service in shambles

The report also highlights the dismal and disappointing picture of rural health systems, such as non-functional healthcare centres, lack of diagnostic facilities to treat major and minor ailments, and lack of access to affordable medicines in rural areas.

Moreover, access to affordable medicines at government medical stores is a major challenge for the rural population, where more than 88 percent of the respondents are facing difficulty in accessing subsidised medicines. Prime Minister’s Public Health Scheme drug center,

Moreover, it also highlights the rising mental health issues across different genders.

What causes anxiety disorder?

Like other types of mental health conditions, the causes behind anxiety are not fully known. However, according to experts, a combination of certain factors that play a vital role include:

chemical imbalance

Several neurotransmitters and hormones play an important role in causing anxiety, and imbalances in these chemicals can contribute to an anxiety disorder.

Brain changes

Doctors say certain parts of your brain play a key role in regulating fear and anxiety, and people with this disorder show increased activity in response to signals of anxiety.

Genetics

Anxiety disorders are hereditary and tend to run in biological families, which suggests that genetics play a role.

environmental factors

Severe or long-term stress alters the balance of neurotransmitters that regulate your mood, leading to anxiety disorders.

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