Breaking the Stigma: Men’s Mental Health in Modern India
- Dr Arati Bh
- Sep 19
- 2 min read
Breaking the stigma around men’s mental health in modern India is critical for creating a society where men feel empowered to seek support, share their emotions, and break free from the silence that hinders healing.
Understanding the Stigma
In Indian society, deep-rooted cultural expectations equate masculinity with toughness, stoicism, and emotional self-control. From a young age, boys are told not to cry or appear vulnerable—a mindset summed up in phrases like “Mard ko dard nahi hota” (men don’t feel pain). These beliefs pressure men to suppress their emotions, ignore signs of stress or anxiety, and view mental health struggles as weakness.
The Impact on Indian Men
This emotional lockdown contributes to:
Rising rates of anxiety, depression, and even suicide among men, especially when compounded by economic and social pressures.
Reluctance to seek help due to fear of judgment, embarrassment, or damaging family reputation.
Delayed treatment, isolation, and worsening conditions, as men may not even share their struggles with friends or family.
A 2025 survey reports that about 40% of Indian men do not discuss their mental health openly, resulting in a “silent crisis” that affects families and communities.
Small Changes, Big Shifts
Encouragingly, winds of change are blowing:
Mental health education is increasing in schools and colleges, giving boys spaces to learn about and discuss their wellbeing.
Social media awareness campaigns like #ItsOkayToTalk and celebrity advocates are normalising conversations about men’s emotions and therapy.
Online support groups, accessible professional counselling, and community workshops are making it easier for men to find confidential help.
A surge in youth-led mental health communities signals that younger generations are less willing to be silenced by stigma.
How to Break the Stigma
Challenge gender norms by encouraging emotional literacy—teach boys and men that feeling and expressing emotion is a sign of strength, not failure.
Share stories and positive role models of men seeking therapy or opening up about mental health, whether in families, workplaces, or public spaces.
Normalise mental health check-ins, make counselling part of routine self-care, and support men in accessing affordable and confidential services.
Build robust support systems—including professional help, peer circles, and family-based interventions—that allow men to access help without fear of judgment.
The Role of Therapists and Platforms Like SereinMind
Counselling psychologists such as Dr Arati Bhatt at SereinMind are instrumental in driving change by:
Providing safe, private, and empathetic therapy for men facing stress, trauma, low self-esteem, or emotional burnout.
Offering online and in-person support for individuals, couples, and families to help break generational cycles of silence and stigma.
Sharing expert insight through blogs, workshops, and awareness campaigns on men’s mental health—demonstrating that healing is possible when stigma is addressed with empathy and science-backed strategies.
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