According to National Mental Health Commission, mental illness risks are not being taken seriously because words like anxious and depressed are often used incorrectly to describe a bad day or sadness. The commission said, due to incorrect usage of the words, many people refrain themselves from seeking a medical advice and proper treatment.

"Co-mingling mental health terminology with our everyday speech can make us deaf to the real meaning and significance of mental health issues and could cause us to overlook or minimize the needs of someone experiencing a genuine mental health difficulty", the report said.

Many people were interviewed by the researchers across the country to have their opinions and experiences of mental health. Janet Meagher, National mental health commissioner, said that people were well educated in the terminology depression. But, surprisingly many used it often to describe a mere bad day at office or an unwanted argument with friends or family.

Janet Meagher further added that people need to understand how to recognize a mental illness and what it means. The study also revealed that the stigma associated with mental illness sometimes deprive people to consult a doctor and seek the proper treatment. Society needs to do a lot so as to support people who need help, she said.