Mental health issues impose an enormous disease burden on societies across the world. Despite its enormous social burden, mental disorders continue to be driven into the shadows by stigma, prejudice and fear. The issue is becoming ever more urgent in light of the forced migration and sustained conflict in many countries of the world.The status of mental health care varies widely from country to country. Many countries already have policies to deliver services for mental health conditions in primary care settings but require system strengthening to achieve integration. Many countries deliver care mainly in institutional settings and need dedicated advocacy and support in phasing out long-stay institutions and developing community-based alternatives. Some countries may require support for policy development or to implement mental health reform efforts. Concerns about potential increases in mental health conditions had already prompted 90% of countries surveyed to include mental health and psychosocial support in their COVID-19 response plans, but major gaps and concerns remain.For much of the pandemic, services for mental, neurological and substance use conditions were the most disrupted among all essential health services reported by WHO Member States. Many countries also reported major disruptions in life-saving services for mental health, including for suicide prevention.Various legislative provisions and Policies have been formulated. Post pandemic, the government of India paid more attention to the concern of mental health and introduced initiatives hitting the target areas. World Health Organization’s most recent Mental Health Atlas showed that in 2020, governments worldwide spent on average just over 2% of their health budgets on mental health and many low-income countries reported having fewer than one mental health worker per 100000 people.The addition of National Tele Mental Health Programme will bridge the critical gap and make the whole digital health ecosystem holistic. Respecting the rights of persons with mental health problems will reduce stigmatizing and discriminatory behaviours

Mental, World Health Organization, India, pandemic