Aditya Birla Education Trust's MPower Survey Highlights Mental Health Concerns in Top Indian Cities

KM Birla-led Aditya Birla Group’s Mpower has released a detailed analysis of mental health issues faced by Indians, including anxiety, depression and stress, on January 17. Aditya Birla Education Trust’s social enterprise Mpower report comes at a time when work life balance taking a toll on mental health has sparked debates. 

The study has mentioned Mumbai, with 42 per cent of the calls received on Mpower’s helpline, as an epicenter of mental health issues, followed by other cities like Delhi and Kolkata. 

“...Mumbai’s urban lifestyle intensifies workplace and family pressures, while Kolkata reflects the role of cultural factors in shaping mental health,” said senior Psychologist and head Mpower helpline, Rima Bhandekar, according to the company’s statement. 

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Males with mental health issues accounted for 60 per cent of the calls received by Mpower’s helpline. The study revealed that those between 26-40 age group comprised 39 per cent of the callers. 

Followed by 18–25-year-old with mental health conditions like school-related stressors like bullying, academic pressures, and exam anxiety being dominant concerns. The detailed study found that adolescent mental health concerns, including adjustment disorders, relationship issues and depression, were key drivers. 

In a wide range of mental health issues, the study found that nearly 33 per cent of the calls were related to relationship problems followed by 23 per cent of anxiety, 20 per cent of depression, 16 per cent stress and 8 per cent psychiatric issues. 

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“The data underscores the evolving nature of mental health concerns in India. While anxiety and relationship issues are common across regions, cities exhibit unique patterns influenced by their socioeconomic and cultural environments,” said Bhandekar. 

Mpower was founded by Neerja Birla in 2016 to address mental health issues in India. The social enterprise is focused on creating awareness, reducing stigma and delivering holistic mental health care.