Introduction to Mental Health

Though global awareness of mental health is growing, governments require more commitment to provide adequate prioritization and affordable budgets for services. Therefore, in this opening chapter, the author provides an overview of mental health and its importance. The chapter introduces different vital concepts related to mental health and mental illness. The chapter also focusses on the prevalence rate of mental illness in India and the myths and beliefs associated with mental illness in contemporary society. The chapter concludes with the different concepts related to psychiatry. The introductory chapter will help readers to get a glimpse of mental health concerns.