Introduction to the Volume

The idea of this book was suggested by the first author, based on her observations and experiences in conducting mental health research. After several rounds of discussions on the topic, we decided to compile such experiences into a book. The book was designed to focus on the challenges researchers face in the process of conducting their work and how they mitigate these situations. The discussion was expected to cover challenges encountered during different stages of the work, such as conceptualisation of a study, data collection, and data analysis, among other topics. While some of these contexts are covered in research methodology textbooks at both a basic and advanced level, several unique situations encountered by researchers are left unaddressed in the research methodology curriculum. In recent times, there has been an increase in the number of research papers on such under-explored topics. However, there remain several gaps that are yet to be addressed adequately. Considering these, the book Mental Health Research in India: Challenges and Practical Considerations was proposed to address the less focused area of research challenges in the Indian context by presenting the unique experiences encountered by researchers. This book provides a platform for new as well as experienced researchers to share their research narratives with the academic community. This discussion is expected to contribute towards preparing researchers for the challenges they may expect to encounter in their fieldwork and broaden the global perspective on mental health research. Overall, this book aims to bridge the gap between textbook information and real experiences from the field.