Mental health is gaining attention, but legal and policy gaps remain. Laws in the U.S. and India require insurance coverage for mental health equal to physical health, but enforcement is weak. Insurers often impose hidden limits, exclusions, or inadequate coverage, leaving treatment unaffordable for many. True parity means mandatory, comprehensive coverage—including telehealth—strong regulation, public investment, and workforce expansion. Courts have advanced mental health rights, but without funding and accountability, progress risks remaining symbolic. Achieving real parity requires treating mental health with the same seriousness as physical health—in law, policy, and budgets.
