Self-Awareness for Emotional Regulation and Mental Health in the Indian Scenario: An Explanatory Review

Abstract

Background: A major factor contributing to mental health morbidity in India is emotional dysregulation and it has become a growing concern over recent years. Aims and Objective: This explanatory review study investigates self-awareness as a psychological and public health tool, which could help manage emotional dysregulation. Methods: The review explores self-awareness as an individual as well as a social resource, and draws from several academic fields that include neuroscience, psychology and Indian contemplative traditions. It uses thematic synthesizes to identify ways in which self-awareness enables emotional understanding, behavioural control, psychological resistance and mental stability. Results: The study finds that self-awareness is a low cost and easily integrable competency, but remains underutilized. The research shows how school-based programs, grassroots initiatives and India's National Education Policy 2020 support the implementation of self-awareness programs in India's preventive health system. Conclusion: Hence, self-awareness would be a scalable strategy to improve mental health in India for individuals and communities.