Mumbai: Nearly half of young Indians keep difficult emotions to themselves and try to deal with them alone, while fewer than one in 10 seek professional help, a 10-city survey has found.
Survey Reveals Emotional Struggles Among Young Adults in India
A recent survey conducted by Mpower through its COPE college network highlights significant emotional challenges faced by young adults in India. Released just before World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10, the findings are based on responses from 1,203 individuals aged 18 to 25 across ten major regions, including Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Goa, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Jaipur.
The survey indicates that nearly half of the respondents, specifically 49.5%, handle difficult emotions independently. In stark contrast, only 9.2% reported seeking professional help or guidance during emotionally challenging situations. This disparity underscores a potential gap in mental health support and the willingness of young adults to reach out for assistance.
The Mpower survey also identified increased anger or irritability (47%), difficulty concentrating or enjoying things (36.7%) and disruption to daily routine (31.3%) among common signs of distress. The survey also found differences in stressors: young women mentioned body-image concerns, social-media comparison and self-doubt, while young men reported higher shares of work-related stress, financial worries and relationship challenges.
The reluctance to seek help comes against a backdrop where young people often receive dismissive responses to distress, said mental health experts with Mpower. About 40.4% said they had been told to “be strong”, while 34.5% had heard “you’re overthinking it” and 32.8% were advised to focus on studies or work. “Only 13.6% said someone had listened to them without judgement and offered support,” according to the survey. Psychiatrist Pratik Surandashe from Apex Group of Hospitals, Borivli, who was not associated with the survey, said that a business loss, unemployment or inability to repay a loan could feel like the end of the world when a person is emotionally overwhelmed. “In our cities, where success is often measured through income, lifestyle and professional achievement, people may hesitate to admit that they are struggling,” he said.