Author: Krisha Sandip Shah, Kes Shri Jayantilal H. Patel Law College
TO THE POINT
Mental Health Is Just as Important as Physical Health
Mental health is a vital part of overall well-being and deserves the same attention as physical health. It affects how people think, feel, behave, and handle daily stress, relationships, and responsibilities. When mental health is neglected, even individuals who are physically healthy may struggle to function effectively in their personal, academic, or professional lives.
Mental and physical health are closely connected. Poor mental health can weaken the immune system, disrupt sleep, increase the risk of heart disease, and lead to unhealthy habits such as poor diet or substance abuse. Similarly, long-term physical illnesses can cause emotional distress, anxiety, and depression. This strong link shows that ignoring mental health can negatively affect the entire body.
Despite its importance, mental health is often misunderstood and stigmatized. Many people hesitate to talk about their mental struggles or seek help due to fear of judgment. As a result, problems go untreated and may worsen over time. Seeking support for mental health should be viewed the same way as visiting a doctor for physical illness—both are necessary steps toward recovery.
Maintaining good mental health involves self-care, emotional support, and professional help when needed. Practices such as regular exercise, adequate sleep, healthy communication, and stress management improve both mental and physical well-being. Schools, workplaces, and communities also play a key role in promoting awareness and creating supportive environments.
ABSTRACT
Mental health is a critical component of overall well-being, equally important as physical health. It influences how individuals think, feel, and behave, affecting daily functioning, decision-making, and relationships. The connection between mental and physical health is undeniable, as poor mental health can lead to physical illnesses, and chronic physical conditions can impact emotional well-being. Despite its significance, mental health is often overlooked and stigmatized, preventing many from seeking help. Promoting awareness, encouraging open conversations, practicing self-care, and providing access to professional support are essential for maintaining mental well-being. Recognizing mental health as equally important as physical health ensures balanced, productive, and meaningful lives while fostering stronger, healthier societies.
USE OF LEGAL JARGON
Mental health shall be deemed an integral component of holistic well-being, possessing parity in significance with physical health. Empirical evidence establishes a demonstrable nexus between psychological well-being and corporeal health, wherein impairment in the former may precipitate adverse physiological consequences, and vice versa. Notwithstanding its criticality, mental health remains susceptible to societal stigma and underreporting, thereby necessitating the invocation of protective measures and access to remedial interventions. Stakeholders, including governmental authorities, healthcare institutions, and community entities, bear fiduciary and ethical obligations to ensure the promotion, preservation, and facilitation of mental health resources. Recognition and enforcement of mental health parity are indispensable to the realization of balanced, productive, and socially sustainable outcomes.
THE PROOF
Scientific and public health authorities recognize that mental health is a vital component of overall health, not separate from physical health. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, emphasizing that “there is no health without mental health,” which places mental health on equal footing with physical health.
Research shows that mental and physical health are closely interconnected. Poor mental health, including conditions like depression and anxiety, increases the risk of chronic physical diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Additionally, evidence indicates that emotional distress and negative mental states can predict physical illness onset independently of other risk factors, showing that psychological health can influence bodily outcomes. Finally, many countries have enacted policies to support mental health parity, legally requiring mental illness coverage to match physical illness in insurance and healthcare frameworks. For example, India’s Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, mandates equal treatment and services for mental health conditions alongside physical health issues.
CASE LAWS
1. SUKHDEV SAHA V. STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH (2025, SUPREME COURT OF INDIA)
The Supreme Court of India explicitly held that mental health is an integral part of the constitutional Right to Life under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.
2. SHIKHA NISCHAL V. NATIONAL INSURANCE CO. LTD. & ANR. (2021, DELHI HIGH COURT)
The Delhi High Court ruled under Section 21(4) of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 that insurers must provide mental health coverage on the same basis as physical health.
3. RAKESH CHANDRA NARAYAN V. STATE OF BIHAR (1988, SUPREME COURT OF INDIA)
The Supreme Court intervened where psychiatric patients in Ranchi Mental Hospital were subjected to dehumanizing conditions. It treated the conditions as violations of fundamental rights and ordered systemic inspection and reforms.
CONCLUSION
Mental health is an essential component of overall well-being and holds equal importance to physical health. Scientific research, public health data, and legal frameworks all confirm the strong connection between mental and physical health, demonstrating that neglecting one can adversely affect the other. Despite social stigma, awareness, proper care, and legal protections are increasingly ensuring that mental health receives the attention it deserves. Recognizing, protecting, and promoting mental health is not only a matter of individual well-being but also a societal responsibility. By treating mental health with the same seriousness as physical health, we enable individuals to lead balanced, productive, and meaningful lives, ultimately fostering healthier and more resilient communities.
FAQS
WHICH INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION LOOKS AFTER HEALTH?
World Health Organisation (WHO).
WHICH INDIAN LAW PROVIDES EQUAL RIGHTS AND CARE FOR PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS?
The Mental Healthcare Act, 2017.
NAME ONE COMMON MENTAL HEALTH DISORDER THAT AFFECTS MILLIONS GLOBALLY.
Depression.
NAME A PHYSICAL ILLNESS THAT CAN BE CAUSED OR WORSENED BY POOR MENTAL HEALTH.
Heart Disease.
WHAT TYPE OF SUPPORT IS CONSIDERED ESSENTIAL FOR IMPROVING MENTAL HEALTH?
Self-care, emotional support, professional help, etc.
