AIIMS Study Shows Voice Can Reveal Depression; Early Detection Possible Through Speech Analysis

New Delhi: Identifying depression may soon go beyond traditional questionnaires and tests. Researchers at AIIMS Delhi have revealed that a person’s voice can provide significant clues about their mental health. A study conducted at the AIIMS Speech Health Lab shows that speech analysis can detect early signs of depression with remarkable accuracy.

AI and CSR Support in Mental Health Research
According to Dr. Nand Kumar from the Psychiatry Department, AIIMS developed a state-of-the-art Speech Health Lab with CSR support from Coal India Limited (CIL). Using AI-based analysis, the lab examines linguistic and emotional cues in speech to identify early indicators of depression. Over the past two years, the lab studied 423 participants, analyzing their speech samples alongside mental health assessments.

Study Results and Accuracy

• Participants: 179 men (42.3%) and 244 women (57.7%)
• Standard for clinically significant depression: PHQ-9 score ≥10
• Findings: 134 participants (31.7%) showed signs of depression, while 289 (68.3%) did not
• Detection accuracy: Up to 78%

Implications for Mental Health
Experts say the study opens new directions in mental health care. Changes in speech patterns, tone, and energy can indicate depressive symptoms. While not a replacement for clinical evaluation, this technique can serve as a supportive tool for early detection, enabling timely intervention and treatment.

Depression Statistics Globally and in India

• Globally, over 260 million people suffer from depression
• According to the 2015 National Mental Health Survey, roughly 1 in 20 Indians (5.3%) experience depression at some point in their lives
• Suicide is one of the most serious complications of untreated depression

Rising Mental Health Concerns Among Students
A large study by NIMHANS, published in the Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, found increasing rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts among college students. The research included 8,542 students from 30 universities across 15 cities in 9 states.

Key Findings Among Students

• 18.8% reported having suicidal thoughts at some point in life
• 12.4% experienced such thoughts in the past year
• 6.7% attempted suicide
• 33.6% showed moderate to severe depression symptoms
• 23.2% had severe anxiety
• Only 38.1% shared suicidal thoughts, mostly with friends

Conclusion
This AIIMS research highlights the potential of voice-based mental health screening, offering a promising avenue for early intervention and better management of depression, particularly among vulnerable groups like students.