The impact of urbanization on mental health in India

PURPOSE OF REVIEWIndia has experienced rapid urbanization in the last few decades. This review focuses on recent research related to the effects of urbanization on mental health with a specific focus on various population groups in urban India. RECENT FINDINGSWith a specific focus on recent research undertaken amongst special populations such as youth, women and the elderly, the findings demonstrate increasing rates of substance use and technology addiction among youth; high self-harm rates in various groups such as adolescents and women; the effects of violence and abuse on the mental health of women; psychological distress among the elderly in modern urban India. SUMMARYThe article highlights the direct and indirect effects of urbanization on mental health of various populations and emphasizes the need to develop individual-level and policy-level strategies to manage problems arising out of the same.