Youth mental health to shape future economy: Economic Survey

Spread the news

North News

New Delhi, January 31

 India’s Economic Survey 2024-25, tabled in Parliament on Wednesday by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, highlighted worsening mental well-being due to lifestyle habits, work culture, and family dynamics. The survey underscored the growing impact of excessive social media use, lack of exercise, and weak family ties on mental health. Citing Jonathan Haidt’s book The Anxious Generation, it warned that the shift toward a “phone-based childhood” is altering childhood experiences and contributing to rising mental health concerns among adolescents. “Lifestyle choices, workplace culture, and family situations are critical for productivity,” the survey stated, stressing that achieving India’s economic goals requires urgent interventions to address these challenges.

The survey found that individuals who consume ultra-processed foods regularly, rarely exercise, or spend long hours at their desks tend to have poorer mental well-being. It also flagged the dangers of toxic work environments, emphasizing that a healthier workplace culture could lead to improved mental health and economic productivity. To mitigate these issues, the survey recommended early interventions at the school and family levels, promoting outdoor activities, in-person social interactions, and stronger family bonds. “Returning to our roots may help us reach new heights in mental health,” the report noted.

The survey urged policymakers to prioritize mental well-being, calling it a key factor in India’s economic future. “With the nation’s demographic dividend at stake, mental health must be placed at the center of the economic agenda,” it concluded.