Mental illness affects approximately 197 million Indians — nearly 1 in 7 people. Yet India has fewer than 9,000 psychiatrists for a population of 1.4 billion. This means the non-psychiatrist doctor — the GP, the physician, the gynaecologist, the paediatrician — is often the first, and sometimes the only, clinician a person with a mental health condition will ever see. The question is not whether to engage with mental health in your OPD. It is whether you feel equipped to do so. The Most Common Mental Health Conditions Presenting in Indian OPDs Depression India has one of the highest burdens of depression globally, with an estimated 56 million sufferers. It presents atypically in Indian patients — more often as somatic complaints (headache, fatigue, body pain, GI symptoms) than as a declared mood disorder. Many patients will not say 'I feel sad.' They will say 'Doctor, mujhe neend nahi aati' or 'Har waqt thaka-thaka rehta hoon.' Use the PHQ-2 as a 30-second screen in any patient presenting with unexplained chronic somatic symptoms. Anxiety Disorders Generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder are significantly underdiagnosed in Indian primary care. Panic attacks are frequently misattributed to cardiac events, with patients undergoing extensive cardiology workups before someone considers anxiety. Use the GAD-2 screen. For patients with palpitations, chest tightness, or dizziness and a normal ECG/echo, consider anxiety in the differential before ordering further investigations. Alcohol Use Disorder India has an estimated 65 million people with alcohol use disorder, making it one of the top three countries by absolute burden. It frequently presents via its complications: liver disease, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, and domestic violence disclosures. Brief motivational interventions delivered in a non-judgmental OPD setting have Level A evidence for reducing harmful drinking. The AUDIT-C is a 3-question validated screen appropriate for Indian OPD use. How to Raise Mental Health in a 5-Minute Indian OPD Consultation Time pressure is the reality for most Indian doctors, especially in high-volume OPDs. Here is a practical three-step approach that takes under two minutes: First, normalise the conversation: 'We know that physical health and emotional health are closely connected. I ask everyone a couple of quick questions about stress and mood.' Second, use a validated screen (PHQ-2 or GAD-2). Third, if the screen is positive, either schedule a longer follow-up slot or refer to the nearest available mental health professional, while initiating first-line management where appropriate.