Under-35s make up most of those seeking mental health care, Amaha report finds
Representative image: newleafmentalhealth / Pixabay
Amaha's 2026 report on 13,825 people in care finds 78% were 18-34 and 53% waited over a year to seek help; anxiety was the top concern at 72.1%.
What Happened
Young adults make up the largest share of Indians seeking mental health care, and most of them wait a long time before asking for help, according to the Amaha Mental Health Report 2026 released this week by the mental healthcare provider Amaha. The report, covered by news outlets on 13 and 14 October 2026, is based on 13,825 people who were in treatment at Amaha's centres in Bengaluru, Mumbai and Delhi between October 2025 and September 2026. People aged 25 to 34 made up 51.3 per cent of them and those aged 18 to 24 another 26.9 per cent. About 53 per cent had lived with their concerns for more than a year before reaching out, while only 11.3 per cent sought help within a month.
Key Facts
- The report covers 13,825 people treated by Amaha between October 2025 and September 2026 in Bengaluru, Mumbai and Delhi.
- Adults aged 25 to 34 were 51.3 per cent of those seeking care; 18 to 24-year-olds were 26.9 per cent.
- Anxiety was the most common concern (72.1 per cent), followed by stress (67.5 per cent) and low mood (58.3 per cent).
- 55.6 per cent reported relationship or interpersonal difficulties and 54.1 per cent frequent mood swings; 94.9 per cent had at least two concerns.
- About 53 per cent had experienced concerns for over a year before seeking care; 11.3 per cent came within a month.
- 56.2 per cent reported thoughts of self-harm before treatment, rising to 71.7 per cent among students.
- 15.4 per cent had used alcohol or other harmful substances before seeking help, with men more likely than women to do so.
Why It Matters
The figures describe people who did seek professional care, not the whole population, a point Amaha's founder and chief executive Dr Amit Malik made himself. Even so, they offer a useful picture of what brings young urban Indians to a therapist or psychiatrist. Nearly four in five people in the sample were under 35. The most common problems were everyday ones: anxiety, stress, low mood, and trouble in relationships. Almost everyone was dealing with more than one concern at the same time.
The most striking finding is the delay. More than half of the people in the report had been struggling for over a year before they asked for help. That suggests many young people try to manage on their own for a long time, whether because of stigma, cost, not knowing where to go, or simply hoping things will get better. By the time they reach care, problems have often piled up, as the high share reporting several concerns at once shows.
The self-harm figures are a warning. More than half of those seeking care, and nearly three in four students, said they had had thoughts of self-harm before treatment. These numbers come from people who were already unwell enough to seek help, so they do not show how common such thoughts are among all students. But they do show that, for many young people, reaching out happens late, sometimes at a point of real risk.
For young readers, the practical message is simple: anxiety, stress and low mood are the most common reasons people seek help, and it is not necessary to wait until things become unbearable. Talking to a counsellor early, while a problem is still manageable, is what the report's data on delays argues for.
| Concern | Share of people seeking care |
|---|---|
| Anxiety | 72.1% |
| Stress | 67.5% |
| Low mood | 58.3% |
| Relationship difficulties | 55.6% |
| Frequent mood swings | 54.1% |
Impact
Short-term: The report adds to pressure on colleges and employers to make counselling easier to reach, since students and young professionals form most of those seeking care and many arrive late.
Long-term: If young people start seeking help sooner, fewer may reach the stage of multiple overlapping problems or self-harm thoughts. That depends on lower stigma, more trained professionals and care that people can afford.
Who is affected: Young adults in cities, students, their families, colleges and workplaces, and mental health services that must meet rising demand.
Key Takeaway
Young adults under 35 make up most of those seeking mental health care at Amaha, and more than half waited over a year before asking for help, according to its 2026 report.
Questions and Answers
What does the Amaha Mental Health Report 2026 say about young people?
Of 13,825 people treated by Amaha between October 2025 and September 2026, 51.3 per cent were aged 25 to 34 and 26.9 per cent were 18 to 24, making young adults the largest group seeking care.
What are the most common mental health concerns in the report?
Anxiety (72.1 per cent), stress (67.5 per cent), low mood (58.3 per cent), relationship difficulties (55.6 per cent) and frequent mood swings (54.1 per cent). Most people had at least two concerns.
How long do people wait before seeking mental health care?
About 53 per cent had experienced concerns for more than a year before reaching Amaha. Only 11.3 per cent sought help within a month.
Do the findings represent all Indians?
No. They cover people who sought care at Amaha's centres in Bengaluru, Mumbai and Delhi. Amaha's chief executive said the figures should not be read as describing India's whole student population.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
Sourced and fact-checked by the Peepals Global Editorial Team
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Reported, fact-checked and published by the Peepals Global Editorial Team.
