49.5% of Indian Youth Hide Emotional Distress, Mpower Survey Finds

New Delhi, September 10, 2026: Nearly half of young Indians surveyed by Mpower continue to deal with emotional distress on their own, while only a small proportion seek professional support, according to the organisation’s 2026 survey released on World Suicide Prevention Day.

The survey, titled “Unpack Your Emotional Baggage: A Call to Action for Young Indians to Seek Help During Emotional Distress,” gathered responses from young adults aged 18 to 25 across Mumbai, Pune, Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Goa, Hyderabad, Chennai and Jaipur.

According to the findings, 49.5% of respondents said they hide difficult emotions and try to deal with them entirely on their own, while only 9.2% reported seeking professional help. Another 40.9% said they tell others “I’m fine” even when they are not.

The survey also found that young people who open up about emotional difficulties often encounter dismissive responses. The most common response was being told to “be strong” (40.4%), while others were advised that they were “overthinking” or should focus on work or studies. Only 13.6% said someone listened without judgment and provided support.

“Mental health is far more than a clinical diagnosis like depression or anxiety—it is a way of living, found in how we handle inner thoughts, nurture relationships, and release emotional pain,” said Dr. Zirak Marker, Child, Adolescent and Family Psychiatrist, and Chief Medical Adviser at Mpower. “When young people are constantly told to 'be strong,' 'focus on work,' or 'stop overthinking,' their pain gets brushed off. Hiding distress and burying emotions creates a dangerous internal build-up that, in severe cases, can lead to overwhelming despair and even suicide. True prevention means moving past quick brush-offs and embedding mental health education into school curricula for all grades. Only by building empathy and acceptance early can we give young people the safe space, dignity, and professional care they need to health.”

The survey identified differences in the emotional challenges reported by men and women. Women accounted for higher shares of respondents reporting body image concerns (69%), constant overthinking (60%) and self-doubt (56%). Men had higher representation in work-related stress (57%) and financial insecurity (54%).

The findings also showed that 60% of respondents who did not recognise that something was wrong until another person pointed it out were male, highlighting the need for greater emotional self-awareness among young men.

Emotional distress was also reflected in everyday behaviour and functioning. About 47% of respondents reported becoming angry or irritated more easily, while 36.7% reported difficulty concentrating or enjoying things and 31.3% said their daily work or routine was affected.

Mpower said the findings point to a gap between growing awareness of mental health and actual help-seeking among young people. The survey calls for greater emphasis on non-judgmental support and early mental health education to encourage young adults to seek assistance before distress reaches a crisis point.