Hyderabad’s youth are facing a growing mental health crisis, with new research highlighting significant distress in the city’s population. The Mental State of the World Report 2024, released by Washington DC-based Sapien Labs, ranks Hyderabad among the lowest metropolitan cities in India for mental well-being, with a Mental Health Quotient (MHQ) score of just 58.3. This is well below the global average of 63 and second only to Delhi, which scored 54.4.
The report, which surveyed over 75,000 individuals aged 18 to 55+, presents a concerning picture of Hyderabad’s mental health landscape. The MHQ scale classifies mental well-being from ‘distressed’ to ‘thriving,’ and Hyderabad’s average falls between the ‘enduring’ and ‘managing’ categories.
“32% of Hyderabadis are categorized as ‘distressed’ or ‘struggling,’ characterized by poor emotional regulation, strained relationships, and reduced mental performance,” said Shailender Swaminathan, Director at Sapien Labs.
Youth Most Affected
The findings are particularly alarming among young adults. While individuals aged 55 and above scored an impressive 102.4, which aligns with global benchmarks, those aged 18 to 24 averaged just above 27 points, placing them firmly in the ‘enduring’ category. “Nearly half of young adults report debilitating levels of distress,” said Tara Thiagarajan, Chief Scientist at Sapien Labs.
The report identifies four key factors contributing to the youth mental health crisis, especially in urban centers like Hyderabad.
Breakdown of Social Bonds
The first major driver is the erosion of social bonds. As society becomes more performance-driven and individualistic, traditional support structures like family and close friendships have weakened. This shift, compounded by rising parental neglect and abuse, has led to a surge in loneliness.
Impact of Smartphones
The second contributing factor is the early and widespread use of smartphones. The study found a strong correlation between early smartphone ownership and an increased risk of sadness, anxiety, aggression, suicidal thoughts, and detachment from reality. “Early exposure to smartphones disrupts sleep, increases vulnerability to harmful online content such as cyberbullying, and impairs social cognition, including the ability to read facial expressions and understand group dynamics,” the report noted.
Poor Diet and Environmental Toxins
Diet is another critical factor influencing mental well-being. The report highlights that individuals who frequently consume ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are three times more likely to experience mental distress. “The consumption of UPFs has surged in the past 15 years, and our data suggests that it may account for up to 30% of mental health distress in some cases,” the report revealed.
Lastly, environmental toxins, such as pesticides, heavy metals, and microplastics, were found to pose significant risks to brain development, particularly in children and adolescents. These toxins, commonly found in food and water, have been linked to long-term mental health issues.
A Call for Action
The findings of the Mental State of the World Report 2024 paint a grim picture of Hyderabad’s mental health landscape. With young adults bearing the brunt of this crisis, experts are calling for urgent intervention to address the root causes, from the breakdown of social connections to the pervasive influence of digital technology and environmental toxins. The city faces a critical need for targeted mental health support and systemic changes to improve the well-being of its population.
