Mental health has become one of the most important conversations of our time. While awareness around emotional well-being has grown significantly in recent years, challenges such as loneliness, anxiety, social comparison, and declining attention spans continue to affect people across age groups. In an increasingly digital world, where connectivity is constant but meaningful relationships often feel scarce, understanding the factors shaping our mental well-being has never been more critical.
1 What inspired you to pursue a career in counseling and mental health?
What inspired me to pursue a career in counseling was a genuine curiosity about human behavior. I have always been interested in understanding what makes people do what they do beyond the labels society often places on them. We are quick to describe people as "good," "bad," "crazy," or "difficult," but human behavior is far more nuanced than these judgments.
I wanted to understand people at a deeper level and explore whether change is possible and, if it is, how that change happens. Sometimes growth is not about changing who we are but about learning to accept ourselves, which is something many people struggle with today.
I also enjoy connecting with people, listening to their stories, and understanding them during their most vulnerable moments. Witnessing how individuals move from vulnerability to strength is one of the most meaningful aspects of counseling for me.
2. In your view, what are some of the biggest mental health challenges people are facing today?
One of the biggest mental health challenges people face today is loneliness. Despite being more connected digitally than ever before, many individuals feel isolated and disconnected from meaningful human relationships.
Another major concern is the increasingly sedentary lifestyle that many people lead. Physical movement plays a crucial role in emotional well-being, yet for a large section of society, regular movement and exercise are no longer a natural part of daily life.
I also believe that our ability to focus is declining. We are becoming accustomed to consuming information in short, rapid formats where everything must be quick, engaging, and attention-grabbing. As a result, many people struggle with sustained attention and deeper engagement, even when the topic is important or meaningful.
3. Why do you think conversations around mental health have become more prominent in recent years?
Mental health conversations have become more prominent because people now have more language and awareness around emotional well-being. Social media, educational institutions, workplaces, and mainstream media have all played an important role in bringing these discussions into the public sphere.
As awareness grows, so does responsibility. People are becoming more conscious of the importance of mental health and are beginning to recognize that emotional well-being deserves the same attention as physical health.
Another significant reason is the scale of the crisis itself. We are witnessing concerning levels of depression, anxiety, and suicide across the country. These realities make it impossible to ignore the need for more open, honest, and sustained conversations about mental health. While progress has been made, there is still a long way to go, particularly in a country like India where the need for mental health support continues to grow.
4. Despite growing awareness, many people still hesitate to seek therapy. What barriers continue to exist?
Stigma remains one of the biggest barriers to seeking therapy. Many people still fear being judged, labeled, or viewed as incapable of handling their own problems. The fear of being seen as "abnormal" or "problematic" continues to prevent individuals from reaching out for help.
At the same time, I believe therapy itself needs to evolve within the Indian context. Much of modern psychotherapy has developed within Western cultural frameworks, while India's understanding of healing has historically been more community-oriented and holistic. Our traditions have long emphasized connection, meditation, movement, reflection, and collective support systems.
For therapy to become more accessible and relatable, it needs to incorporate culturally relevant approaches that resonate with Indian experiences and values. This process of making therapy more contextual and culturally grounded is something I strongly advocate for and consider an important part of my work.
5. How is social media influencing our self-esteem, relationships, and emotional well-being?
Social media has fundamentally changed how we perceive ourselves and others. One of its biggest effects is the constant culture of comparison. People are regularly comparing their lives, achievements, appearances, and relationships with curated versions of other people's realities.
At the same time, we are increasingly consuming content without critically questioning what we see. With the rise of filters, editing tools, and artificial intelligence, it is becoming more difficult to distinguish between what is authentic and what is manufactured.
Social media is also shortening our attention spans. Many people now engage with the world primarily through brief snippets of information, which can reduce opportunities for deeper understanding and reflection.
When comparison becomes constant and reality becomes harder to define, feelings of dissatisfaction can increase. Gratitude and contentment, two important foundations of emotional well-being, often become more difficult to cultivate in such an environment.
6. Do you think loneliness is becoming a larger issue in modern society? If so, why?
Yes, loneliness is becoming one of the defining challenges of modern society. Meaningful human connection requires vulnerability, but many people today feel as though they are constantly being observed, evaluated, and judged. This heightened sense of visibility can make individuals more guarded and less willing to show their authentic selves.
Social media has amplified this phenomenon. People often feel pressure to project idealized versions of their lives, creating a gap between who they truly are and how they present themselves to the world. Maintaining this gap can be emotionally exhausting and can make genuine connection more difficult.
There is also an increasing fear of social judgment. Many people hesitate to express themselves freely because they worry about being recorded, criticized, or misunderstood. As a result, opportunities for spontaneous interaction, vulnerability, and authentic connection are reduced.
When people feel unable to be themselves and struggle to form genuine connections, loneliness naturally increases. In many ways, we are living in an era where visibility has increased, but true connection has become harder to achieve.
