Remember as many as 25 per cent people in India live with mental illness. They live in families. Each family has at least three to four members. It means that lives of most people in India are touched by mental health problems. If lives of most people are touched by mental illness how can India develop without people having access to care and support for mental health problems? By providing access to care and support to persons living with mental illness and by promoting mental health, people will experience major improvements in their lives. If people grow, it is only then India grows.

When the rights of persons living with mental health problems are addressed and when people enjoy positive mental health they will be able to take their own decisions regarding their own lives. They will be able to work and rise out of poverty, provide for their children with so that they grow, flourish, participate productively be active informed citizens of India, and contribute to the economy of their country.

Will India be able to meet its developmental goals if as many 25% of citizens of India are not able to participate in their life and the life of their communities effectively? India needs to put in place laws, policies and practices in a rights based framework so that all people are treated as equal and are not considered as non people just because they experience mental health problems. India needs to ensure fulfilment of rights of persons living with mental health problems including effective treatment, prevention and promotion programs to all people who need them if needs to grow.