Mental health in the 19th century was a complex and often troubling issue, marked by significant social stigma, limited understanding, and basic treatment methods. During this period, the concept of mental illness was heavily influenced by a mix of cultural, religious, and medical beliefs, which shaped how society perceived and treated those with mental health conditions. Those suffering from mental health issues were often ostracized, hidden away from society, or subjected to harsh treatment. 

The idea of “madness” was a broad and ill-defined term used to describe a wide range of behaviours that deviated from societal norms. Conditions like depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder were not well distinguished, and those affected were often labelled as “lunatics” or “insane.” The social stigma attached to mental illness was profound, leading to shame and secrecy within families. The treatment of mental illness in the 19th century was often brutal and inhumane. Asylums, or “lunatic asylums,” as they were commonly known, were the primary institutions for housing people with mental health issues.

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Transition of Mental Health 

The transition of mental health care from the 19th to the 20th century marked a significant shift in understanding, treatment, and societal attitudes towards mental illness. They saw the gradual movement from inhumane and stigmatised practices to more scientific and humane approaches, setting the stage for modern mental health care. Mental healthcare in colonial India and the years post-independence was custodial and segregationist. It slowly moved towards a more curative and therapeutic nature by the end of the 20th century. 

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Balancing Tradition of Modernity

Culture is an abstraction, reflecting the total way of life of a society. It refers to the shared patterns of beliefs, feelings, and behaviour and the basic values and concepts that members of the group carry in their minds as guides for their conduct. In India, mental health and the psyche have been an area of exploration for centuries. Right from the Vedic period, there has been a description of the human mind, its functioning, consciousness, and the dynamics of human behaviour. In the recent past, there has been a lot of research on the use of many eastern healing techniques in the health sciences. A lot of emphasis is being laid on lifestyle and health. The modern era and its increasing stresses call for stress management techniques and medicines devoid of side effects, which increases the importance of alternative methods of medicine.

““I know that you know but you do not know that you really know - know yourself. Look within and get to know yourself better” ”
- Amit Abraham

In the Indian tradition, psychology is the study of the person (jiva). The person is a composite of consciousness, mind, and body, a unique blend of thought, passion, and action. Consciousness is perceived as changeless and the permanent base of all knowledge and awareness. The mind is the interfacing instrumentality, a necessary link between consciousness and the body. The goal of Indian psychology is to understand the human condition and explore ways to elevate it to higher levels of being, to clear the clouds of ignorance, and to enable the person to attain a state of bliss where the truth is known and the person becomes perfect. Three ways of achieving such a state are suggested: work (karma marga), worship (bhakti marga), and wisdom (jnana marga), which appear to cater to the three basic aspects of the mind: volition, emotion, and cognition.

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