Another Nimhans in the works for mental health and wellness

The government has proposed to establish a second National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (Nimhans) to help more people access therapists.

- Priyanka Sharma & Devina Sengupta

“There are no national institutes for mental healthcare in North India. We will therefore set up a Nimhans-2 and also upgrade National Mental Health Institutes in Ranchi and Tezpur as Regional Apex Institutions,” the finance minister said. The first Nimhans is based out of Bengaluru and is known for its expertise in treating mental, neurological, and neurosurgical conditions.

By scaling the expertise of Nimhans, the government aims to meet the rising national demand for mental health support and neurological research.

“Empowering the vulnerable to access mental health and trauma care is also on the anvil,” said finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her budget speech.

Silent epidemic

India’s mental health crisis has escalated into a “silent epidemic”, particularly among the youth. According to the Economic Survey 2025-26 released on Thursday, digital addiction—driven by social media and gaming—is a primary trigger, with nearly 38% of young people showing depressive symptoms.