Mental Health in Ancient India: Insights, Challenges, and Preventive Strategies from the Indo-Vedic Period

Mental health is increasingly recognized as a global public-health priority, yet historical and cultural foundations remain underexplored in academic literature. The Indo-Vedic period in India (c.1500?500 BCE) offers significant insights into the origins of mental-health awareness. This study aims to (i) examine Indo-Vedic conceptualizations of mental health, (ii) review classical Ayurvedic contributions such as sattvavajaya cikits? (psychotherapy through mind-training), and (iii) analyse contemporary challenges and prevention strategies in India in light of this heritage. A narrative review method was employed, synthesizing primary texts (Vedas, Upanishads, Caraka Sa?hit?, Su?ruta Sa?hit?, Yoga S?tra, Bhagavad G?t?) with peer-reviewed literature and policy documents. Secondary sources included the National Mental Health Survey (2015?16), the Mental Healthcare Act (2017), and evaluations of the Tele-MANAS program (2022?2025). Findings indicate that the Indo-Vedic worldview perceived mental health as a dynamic balance between the trigu?as (sattva, rajas, tamas), cultivated through ethical living, yoga, meditation, diet, and community participation. Ayurveda further categorized mental disorders under unm?da and apasmara, proposing psychotherapeutic and pharmacological interventions. Modern India, however, faces a treatment gap of over 70%, with stigma, poor awareness, and rural access barriers posing major challenges. Policy innovations such as Tele-MANAS and rights-based frameworks under the Mental Healthcare Act mark progress but remain underutilized in prevention. This study concludes that integrating Indo-Vedic preventive approaches with modern psychiatry and public-health strategies could enhance community resilience, reduce stigma, and bridge the treatment gap. Future directions include rigorous clinical trials on traditional practices, culturally sensitive community literacy programs, and scalable models that align ancient wisdom with digital health systems.