A comparative health system analysis of selected states of India: Implications for global mental health practice.

The population of some Indian states is equivalent to that of many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Due to India's federal administration system, states manage their health services independently, and their unique social, economic, and governance circumstances influence their development trajectories. The current practice of Global Mental Health is to scale up evidence-based interventions. In this research, scaling up is defined as the development of the mental health (MH) service system, which, in turn, is considered an organic part of health service systems strengthening within the enduring ethos of the and Sustainable Developmental Goals. The current analysis uses a comparative health system lens to explore the status of MH services in selected states of India with the development of the health system. The authors tentatively conclude that for India and similar LMICs, the advancement of the MH system/services is best addressed through health system development utilizing principles of Primary Health Care.