Understanding India's Mental Health Mindset: Insights From अ-Nishchit Index 2.0 By Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance

* 81% of Indians believe mental health issues are rising across society, while nearly 80% hesitate to seek therapy or counselling

* Survey of 3583 respondents across 20 cities show attitudes to mental health vary sharply by region and gender

* ABSLI and Mpower offer grief counselling to families of deceased policyholders

Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance Company Limited (“ABSLI”), the life insurance subsidiary of Aditya Birla Capital, India’s leading diversified financial services company, today released findings from its अ-Nishchit Index 2.0 ahead of World Mental Health Day on October 10.

The findings point to growing awareness of mental health concerns in India, alongside persistent hesitation around seeking professional support. They also show that there is no single mental health story in the country, with attitudes towards therapy and the concerns people face varying significantly across regions and genders.

Key Findings:

81% of Indians believe mental health issues are rising across society, while nearly 80% hesitate to seek therapy or counselling

East India is the most hesitant. 25% of respondents in the East said they would hesitate to see a therapist, compared with 22% in the North, 21% in the West and 14% in the South

Men are more hesitant than women in East. In the East, 27% of men were hesitant compared with 24% of women

The East is most worried about rising mental-health problems. 26% of respondents in the East expressed this concern

In the North and West, women worry more than men. 25% of women and 22% of men are concerned about the growing prevalence of mental-health problems

Parents in the east worry most about their children. 25% of parents in the East are concerned about their children's ability to cope with setbacks, against a national average of 21%

Mpower’s analysis of the findings underscores the need to move beyond recognising mental health concerns towards making early help seeking more normal and accessible. With barriers to seeking support varying across regions and genders, the findings highlight the importance of creating support pathways that are accessible, relevant and easier to navigate. For ABSLI, this insight also reinforces the importance of extending support beyond financial protection to the emotional needs of families during difficult life experiences.

In line with this approach, ABSLI, in partnership with Mpower, provides grief counselling to the families and loved ones of deceased policyholders. The service connects them with trained counsellors who provide professional guidance and emotional support through bereavement. Each nominee is eligible for two complimentary grief counselling sessions, helping families access professional support during a difficult period.

Mr. Kamlesh Rao, MD & CEO, Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance, said, "The Index shows that attitudes to mental health in India are shaped by region, gender and family circumstances, so our response has to account for those differences. At ABSLI, we see protection as more than financial cover. Our grief counselling service, run with Mpower, supports families after the loss of a loved one, when they need emotional support as much as financial support. We want asking for help to become an ordinary thing to do."

Adding further, Mr. Amit Gupta, CFO - Aditya Birla Education Trust, Head – Operations, Mpower, “The findings point to an important gap, people may recognise that mental-health concerns are rising, yet recognising distress in oneself or a loved one and knowing when to seek professional help remain very different things. Grief is a powerful example of it, as it is often deeply buried, with its impact surfacing in professional productivity, family relationships and physical health, while the need for support goes unrecognised. This reinforces the need to build mental-health literacy early and embed it in school curricula, so that recognising distress and seeking help become part of everyday life.”

About the अ-Nishchit Index 2.0:

The survey was conducted by Drshti Strategic Research Services Pvt. Ltd among 3583 respondents aged 22-60, across 20 cities in July - Oct 2025.The study maps 49 statements across 11 parameters, covering economic and financial instability, environmental and climate concerns, health and medical risks, digital and cybersecurity threats, government policies, career and employment, family and social responsibilities, retirement and ageing, and children's education and growth, alongside income, debt and financial planning. Mental health was examined as an integral part of this broader uncertainty landscape, exploring concerns around the rising prevalence of mental health issues, the ability to cope with stress, and social and personal barriers to seeking therapy. To read the complete अ-Nishchit Index 2.0 report, click here.

Disclaimer:

This information is based on findings from a research study commissioned by Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance Company Limited and data-validated by Drshti Strategic Research Services Pvt. Ltd. The findings are based on perception-based responses collected from the stated sample, locations and survey period and should not be treated as representative of every individual or region. The information contained herein is provided solely for general informational and research purposes and is based on perception-based responses at a specific point in time. Nothing herein constitutes investment, financial, insurance, tax, or legal advice, nor an offer or solicitation of any product. Readers are advised to seek independent professional advice before making any financial or insurance decisions. Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance Company Limited and Drshti Strategic Research Services Pvt. Ltd. disclaim any liability arising from reliance on this information.