Mental health is not a first world concern, but very much an Indian challenge. Social taboos have prevented Indians from confronting mental illnesses head on and now it's estimated that there are over a 100 million people in India who need medical interventions on mental health. Listen to Dr Sabina Rao and Pavitra Jayaraman as they unpack the issue on Episode 111 of The Pragati Podcast. The Pragati Podcast is a weekly talkshow on public policy, economics and international relations hosted by Pavan Srinath. [**Dr Sabina Rao**](https://www.columbiaasia.com/india/sabina-rao) is a Psychiatrist with extensive experience in assessment, diagnosis and treatment of a wide spectrum of psychiatric disorders. She currently practices at Columbia Asia and Annaswamy Mudaliar General Hospitals in Bangalore and was previously associated with NIMHANS. [**Pavitra Jayaraman**](https://twitter.com/pavitra_j_) heads editorial at [ **White Swan Foundation**](https://twitter.com/mentalhealthind), a not-for- profit organisation that creates and disseminates, well-researched and credible information on mental health. Pavitra is a former journalist who has worked with NDTV and Mint. Also read: **[** National Mental Health Survey of India, 2015-16**](http://www.nimhans.ac.in/sites/default/files/u197/NMHS%20Report%20%28Prevalence%20patterns%20and%20outcomes%29%201.pdf).** If you have any questions or comments, write in to [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]). Follow The Pragati Podcast on Instagram:  Follow Pragati on Twitter:  Follow Pragati on Facebook:  Subscribe & listen to The Pragati Podcast on [ **iTunes**](https://itunes.apple.com/in/podcast/the-pragati- podcast/id1228156028?mt=2), [ **Saavn**](https://www.jiosaavn.com/shows/the- pragati-podcast/1/FnNydIp,yaI_), [ **Spotify**](https://open.spotify.com/show/6JgBw5GZFOmUWGeaN4RZsl), [ **Castbox**](https://castbox.fm/channel/The-Pragati-Podcast- id533119?country=in), [ **Google Podcasts**](https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cDovL3RoZXByYWdhdGlwb2RjYXN0Lml2bS5saWJzeW5wcm8uY29tL3Jzcw), [ **AudioBoom**](https://audioboom.com/channel/the-pragati-podcast), [ **YouTube**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSKyotZqJHk&list=PLcBVsra3A46rdbOES7GtpX10VYeJjBQZ4) or any other podcast app. We are there everywhere. You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android:  or iOS: , or any other podcast app. You can check out our website at  Read more