India's Mentally Ill Turn to Faith, Not Medicine

August 10, 2010

Author: Miranda Kennedy

Source: NPR

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126143778

In India, there is only 1 psychiatrist for every 400,000 people, according to a recent study by the Indian government. It is one of the lowest ratios anywhere in the world.

It means that most people in India go untreated for substance abuse problems, severe depression and psychotic disorders. Or rather, they go untreated by doctors. Instead, they turn to the gods.