Gender and common mental disorders: A perspective from India

Common mental disorders (CMDs), such as depressive and anxiety disorders, constitute a significant public health problem in low- and middle-income countries, such as India, where they rank among the leading causes of disability and impaired quality of life. Outcomes are further compromised by a large treatment gap, poor adherence to therapeutic regimens, and high attrition rates. The prevalence and severity of CMDs are disproportionately higher in women. Additionally, structural factors influencing healthcare access, along with sociocultural factors, such as gender-based violence, limited autonomy in healthcare decisions, and greater levels of discrimination and stigma, result in poorer outcomes among women with CMDs. Therefore, there is a pressing need for care packages that are culturally sensitive, gender-responsive, and designed to address these structural and sociocultural factors, as highlighted in the literature from India.