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Mental Health Insights from Economic Survey 2024-25

Prioritizing Well-being in India's Economic Agenda

Mental Health Insights from Economic Survey 2024-25

  • 07 Feb, 2025
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Insights from the Economic Survey 2024-25

The Economic Survey 2024-25 sheds light on the pressing issue of mental health in India. It identifies several factors contributing to declining mental well-being, including hostile work environments, excessive work hours, and sedentary lifestyles. These elements, compounded by overexposure to social media, create a challenging landscape for mental health.

Factors Affecting Mental Health

According to the survey, key contributors to poor mental health include:

  • Overexposure to social media
  • Lack of regular exercise
  • Minimal family interaction
  • Working more than 55-60 hours a week

These factors highlight the need for a comprehensive approach to enhance mental wellness in the country.

Proposed Measures for Improvement

To tackle these issues, the survey proposes several measures:

  • Taxing Ultra-Processed Foods: The survey recommends imposing a health tax on ultra-processed or junk foods, linking their consumption to deteriorating mental health.
  • Regulating Advertisements: There is a call to define nutrient thresholds for sugars, salt, and saturated fats and to restrict advertisements targeting children under 18.
  • Promoting Family Time and Exercise: Encouraging families to engage in outdoor activities and reduce screen time is essential for improving mental health.

Impact on Work Culture

Hostile work environments and extended periods spent in sedentary jobs significantly hinder productivity and mental health. The survey underscores the importance of creating a supportive workplace culture to foster well-being.

Lifestyle Changes Recommended

To improve mental health, the survey advocates for:

  • Adopting clean eating habits
  • Engaging in regular physical activity
  • Limiting social media usage
  • Spending quality time with family

Addressing Childhood Mental Health

The report also highlights the growing concerns regarding mental health issues among children and adolescents due to excessive internet usage. It advocates for family-oriented interventions that encourage outdoor activities and limit screen time.

The Broader Goal

Ultimately, the Economic Survey aims to place mental health at the center of India's economic development strategy. By addressing mental well-being, the survey emphasizes the importance of a balanced approach that integrates physical, mental, and societal health.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What factors contribute to poor mental health as per the survey?
Answer: The survey identifies overexposure to social media, lack of exercise, minimal family time, and overwork (working more than 55–60 hours a week) as key contributors to declining mental health among Indians.

Q2. How does work culture affect mental well-being?
Answer: Hostile work environments and prolonged desk jobs hinder productivity and exacerbate mental health issues, underlining the importance of improving workplace culture.

Q3. What lifestyle changes does the survey propose?
Answer: It emphasizes adopting clean eating habits, regular exercise, reducing social media use, and spending quality time with family to improve mental health.

Q4. What measures are suggested to regulate food marketing?
Answer: The survey recommends defining nutrient thresholds for sugars, salt, and saturated fats, adopting front-of-pack labels, and restricting advertisements targeting children under 18.

Q5. What is the broader goal of these recommendations?
Answer: The survey aims to place mental health at the core of India’s economic development strategy, ensuring a balanced approach to physical, mental, and societal well-being.

UPSC Practice MCQs

Question 1: What is one of the key contributors to poor mental health according to the Economic Survey 2024-25?
A) Excessive leisure time
B) Overexposure to social media
C) Regular exercise
D) Healthy eating habits
Correct Answer: B

Question 2: What does the survey recommend taxing to improve mental health?
A) Fresh fruits
B) Ultra-processed foods
C) Organic vegetables
D) Whole grains
Correct Answer: B

Question 3: Which of the following is suggested to improve workplace culture?
A) Longer working hours
B) Hostile work environments
C) Supportive workplace initiatives
D) Increased screen time
Correct Answer: C

Question 4: What is a proposed lifestyle change for better mental health?
A) Increasing social media usage
B) Engaging in regular exercise
C) Working longer hours
D) Reducing family time
Correct Answer: B

Question 5: How does the survey suggest addressing childhood mental health issues?
A) Increasing screen time
B) Family-oriented interventions
C) Limiting outdoor activities
D) Reducing family engagement
Correct Answer: B

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