Trigger Warning – Mention of rape, suicide, and assault.
‘Cultivation of mind should be the ultimate aim of human existence’- B. R Ambedkar.
Bahujans, known for being placed at the bottom rung of the caste hierarchy in India, are also one of the largest communities of India. Yet, they still fight for their rights in the education sphere, the workplace, fundamental human rights, and representation. Being marginalized because of their caste identity, research shows that people from the community struggle to place their name in leadership positions, in educational institutions, and make a name in the real world.
Those at a disadvantage due to their caste identity not only experience labeling and stigma but are also ignored by various sectors of society, thereby being susceptible to mental illnesses and psychological disorders. The National Mental Health survey of 2016 suggests that those from the Bahujan community and individuals that form a part of the ‘lower’ castes have a 40% higher rate of depression than those from other castes. They are at an increased risk of depression due to the constant name-calling, discrimination, instance of untouchability, and injustice faced by Bahujans.
Moreover, the survey revealed that individuals from the lower caste are more likely to experience stress daily and have a higher chance of developing anxiety disorders such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Unipolar Depression, and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Women and those who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community of the Bahujan samaj are more likely to experience PTSD since they are recipients of violence, sexual assault, and name-calling. For instance, a report by Human Rights Watch revealed that the poorest of Dalit women are often forced into prostitution, are at a higher chance to be a human-trafficking victim, and experience three times that sexual assault than the average middle and upper-class woman. This not only affects their physical health but also has a grave impact on their mental health, with symptoms of PTSD left untreated leading to the existence of suicidal thoughts and higher instances of death by suicide reported. Since more than 25% of the Bahujan community lives in poverty, cases of PTSD also emerge from living in poverty.
A study by TISS found that avid worshippers of the caste system, who are a part of the upper and middle class, experience a psychiatry phenomenon called ‘Caste Delusion.’ This occurs when they view a Dalit and experience feelings of hatred, disgust, and repulsion. This results from the reinforcement of negative feelings towards Dalits by people in the society and the ideology that those from the lower classes are inadequate and inferior. Also experienced by those from the Bahujan Samaj, Caste delusions refer to the feeling of inadequacy and fear experienced by a Dalit when viewing a person from the upper caste. The reason for this is the repeated instance of assault or discrimination faced by Dalits, leading to the development of fear and paranoia.
Do members of the lower caste and Bahujan community receive adequate mental health facilities?
Therapy and mental health facilities such as admission in psychiatric institutions, counseling services, and psychiatric aid in India are pretty limited, with statistics displayed by Economic Times stating that there is one mental health professional per 1 lakh people. Moreover, a typical counseling session is known to cost anywhere between Rs.800 to Rs.2,500 among the private sector. A majority of those from the lower caste and the Dalit community live in poverty, which minimizes their opportunity to seek mental health counseling in India, forget institutionalization, or access psychiatric facilities.
Even with a government-centered program on mental health and well-being, the Bahujan Samaj and those from the lowest rung of the caste hierarchy are conveniently left out due to their caste identity, social status, or gender identity. Additionally, the Indian government allotted no increase in expenditure on Mental Health services in its 2020 National budget, making the public mental health system weak and stagnant.
Moreover, therapy has a stigma attached to it. Individuals who receive therapy or mental health care are seen as mentally ‘weak’ or ‘challenged,’ thereby taking upon another label of being ‘mad,’ ‘crazy,’ or ‘paagal’. Therapy is also seen as a waste of time by a large part of the population, where the time used for therapy or mental health care activities could have an alternate use of working and earning money instead. With such high costs of therapy, medication, and psychiatric facilities, including the stigma attached to mental health counseling in India, it is not surprising that people from the Dalit community or the lower castes do not receive or have access to adequate and good quality mental health services.
How can those from the Bahujan Samaj and victims of the caste system have improved mental well-being?
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We need to understand that the caste system is a capitalist concept that has been created for one part of the society to rule over the other. Hence, our caste labels do not make us different human beings, and we are all worthy of respect and love, regardless of the caste we belong to or identify with.
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The conversation around mental health in India is heavily influenced by the West. Hence, we need to begin conversations about mental health in terms of our Indian languages and practice mental health care so that everyone quickly adopts it.
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Instead of shaming people for their caste identity or lack of resources, we can help them create a better future by providing for them and helping them. This can be as basic as interacting with them daily, helping them avail counseling services, and being there for them.
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The importance of community healing should be encouraged and practiced since India is a collectivist society, which promotes healthy social connections and celebrates shared identities. Hence, group therapy, focus groups, and sharing stories are great ways to improve mental well-being, especially among the Dalit community since they understand each other’s struggles.
Importance of Professional Counseling: A friend or family member may listen to you, but they aren’t professionally, technically qualified or experienced to offer you professional advice. If you wish you can contact us at MindTribe to receive help from our team of expert psychologists.
About MindTribe.in.
MindTribe Founder Dr. Prerna Kohli, India’s eminent psychologist, established the company to leverage the strength of the online to make counseling affordable and accessible to everyone. MindTribe provides counseling, workshops, support groups, forums, and eLearning.
About the Author.
Moyera is a team member at MindTribe.in.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of MindTribe.in, the Founders, or management team.
Acknowledgement: All images used are open source and from Unsplash.