In July this year, the case of a 26-year-old woman executive working for a multinational consulting firm, ending her life due to immense work pressures moved the spotlight to an important issue that concerns millions of working Indians. In September, a 38-year-old software engineer with 15 years of experience in a Chennai-based firm, ended his life. He was on medication for depression caused by work stress.
Despite their “successful” careers, the loss of these lives underscores a growing mental health crisis in India, where success is often equated with relentless productivity and material wealth. These events reveal the struggles many face such as battling depression, anxiety, and a lack of purpose even as they put up a facade of success and contentment. India is currently witnessing a surge in mental health disorders.
According to The Lancet Psychiatry Commission, over 197 million people suffer from conditions such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse. Economic growth has created new opportunities, but it has also intensified societal pressures and personal expectations. As India’s developmental aspirations rise, mental well-being is often overlooked, fuelling a crisis driven by materialism and a growing disconnect from community and self-awareness.
At the core of this crisis are existential questions that have guided human thought since the times of Socrates and Aristotle such as: Who am I? What is the purpose of my life? How should I live? Socrates said, “Th.