The state of the Mental Health related conditions among the Scheduled Tribes and the Culture-Specific approaches and methods they apply for the Management of such conditions: A Bibliographic essay catering to the contemporary trends in Mental Health research in India.

The World Health Organization has defined „Health‟ as “a state of complete physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. The concept of mental health includes subjective well-being, perception of self-efficacy, autonomy, competence, and recognition of one's ability to realize one's intellectual and emotional potential. It is also defined as a state of well-being in which individuals realize their abilities or are able to cope with the stresses of normal life, be productive at work, and contribute effectively to their communities.India is home to the largest tribal populations in the world with 8.6% of the total population belonging to Scheduled Tribes forming 705 tribal groups across India, a signifiacant section of which are suffering from a multitude of mental health issues. This article narrates the state of the mental health conditions pervading inside the tribal groups across India and their ability to cope with the emerging trends and issues responsible for the increase in cases of mental health problems. Tribal communities are not immune from the clutches of mental illness and the unique cultures of each tribal society have shaped their own understanding of mental illness and the strategies for its treatment/management. Further, it is observed that the decisions and choices taken by the authorities catering to the wider arena of mental health issues, which were imposed on the tribal groups without consulting their prerogatives and social proclivities, have led to a state of social-emotional distress and lethargy in terms of the treatment seeking behaviour.