As awareness about mental health steadily grows, so does the number of young voices reaching out for help. According to those running Ankahee Helpline, a call and email platform for individuals going through emotional distress, around 30 per cent of callers are under 18, while the general age of callers is between 15 and 30. They stated that the younger generation tends to share more over email than by phone calls. “The number of young callers has significantly gone up through the years,” said Sunitha Ramachandran, director, Ankahee Helpline.

“The number of calls especially, goes up during the exam season and holidays. These young adults often open up about distress in their interpersonal and romantic relationships, while others lack family support and feel burdened by studies. Many young adults are also comparing their lives to those that they see on social media, feeling a void in their own,” she added.