You ever get that feeling where something’s just off but you don’t know what it is? You’re tired but not sleepy. Restless but not moving. Everyone’s smiling on Instagram and you’re sitting there wondering what’s wrong with you. Well guess what? You’re not alone. And finally, India’s waking up to this.
Mental health isn’t just a word anymore. It’s become a reality for lakhs of people across the country. And it’s not just something we whisper about behind closed doors anymore. People are starting to speak up. Loudly.
Over the past few years, mental health awareness in India has exploded. More people are reaching out for help than ever before. One of India’s largest mental health helplines saw over 1 million calls since it launched in 2022. Think about that. That’s not just a number. That’s a million people who said “I’m not okay” and did something about it. That takes guts.
What’s interesting is that urban men, who were once the least likely to talk about their emotions, are now one of the largest groups calling in. Relationship issues, anxiety and loneliness top the charts. And this shift is big. Because for years, men were told to man up. Crying was weak. Therapy was for someone else. But not anymore.
In schools and colleges, the pressure is unreal. Studies are showing a rise in anxiety, panic attacks and even self harm among young people. But some schools are trying new things. Like starting assemblies with positive affirmations. One small step, but it’s something.
At work, it’s not much better. Long hours, always being online and no time to breathe has made burnout a regular thing. A recent report found that one in five employees in India is either in therapy or looking for help. That’s 20 percent of the workforce who are running on empty.
So yes, the mental health movement is real. But there’s still a lot we need to fix.
India has less than one psychiatrist for every 100000 people. That’s way below the global average. And while online therapy and chat apps are helping bridge the gap, they can’t replace actual one on one support.
There’s also the issue of stigma. For many families, the idea of therapy still feels like something to hide. Like if someone’s going to counselling, it means they’re broken. That kind of thinking needs to go. Feeling low is not drama. Depression isn’t laziness. And needing help is not weakness.
The good news? The conversation has started. Slowly but surely, India is realising that just like we talk about heart health or fitness or diet, we need to talk about the mind. Because mental health is not a luxury. It’s survival.
So if you’re not okay, say it. If your friend is acting distant, check in. If your mind’s noisy, don’t ignore it. There’s help. And more importantly, there’s hope.
