Mpower’s five-year analysis of anonymised helpline calls shows that fathers – especially those new to parenting – are quietly contending with their own emotional battles, often in isolation.
Published Jun 15, 2025 | 4:10 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 15, 2025 | 4:10 PM
Indian men have been conditioned to exhibit a macho image for generations.
Synopsis: A growing number of Indian fathers are reaching out for mental health support, with calls to Mpower’s helpline from men rising by 126 percent between 2020 and 2024. New data reveals that many of these callers are first-time fathers experiencing anxiety, emotional fatigue, and relationship strain.
In recent years, Indian men – particularly new fathers – have increasingly been reaching out for help, seeking support for issues such as anxiety, relationship strain, and emotional fatigue, data from the mental health initiative, Mpower, shows.
Between 2020 and 2024, calls from men to the organisation’s 24/7 helpline rose by 126 percent, a total of 19,750 calls, according to a study of five years of helpline data.
In 2024 alone, 8,362 male callers sought support, a significant portion of whom were first-time fathers grappling with anxiety, emotional fatigue, and relationship strain.
This marked increase, while highlighting a growing emotional burden, also signals a slow but meaningful shift in how Indian men engage with mental health.
“We’re increasingly coming across young, new fathers who feel overwhelmed – unsure of their ability to care for their child and burdened by expectations,” said Rima Bhandekar, Clinical Psychologist and Head of the Mpower Helpline. “These emotions are not signs of weakness, but clear indicators of mental health distress that deserve our attention and care.”
Mental health conversations in India have traditionally focused on women, adolescents, and students. Fathers, especially new ones, have largely remained absent from these discussions – despite growing pressures that affect their emotional wellbeing.
For generations, men have been expected to suppress vulnerability and endure silently. Now, that narrative is starting to change.
Mpower’s helpline has received 114,776 calls overall and delivered 141,212 hours of counselling support across all genders since its inception.
While the average call duration for men remains lower than that for women – 7.15 minutes versus 9.55 minutes – Bhandekar notes a steady increase in the time men are willing to spend on the phone.
“The numbers from our helpline are an eye-opener,” Bhandekar said. “While we are felicitating the fathers today, they themselves need to acknowledge the silent emotional wars many of them are fighting.”
The data reveals a clear evolution in the issues male callers are facing. In 2020, common concerns included low self-esteem, emotional abuse, and suicidal thoughts.
By 2021, anxiety and depression had become dominant themes. Since 2022, relationship conflict and emotional burnout have emerged as the most frequently reported problems, particularly among younger fathers juggling professional responsibilities and parenting.
These men often call in during late hours, according to helpline counsellors – possibly reflecting how mental health distress remains a private, unspoken matter in many households.
Bhandekar says the rise in male callers is not a cause for concern but a sign of long-overdue change.
“Moments when men realise that emotional expression isn’t a flaw – it’s a form of strength,” she said.
She believes the increase in help-seeking behaviour indicates growing awareness, but adds that systemic change is needed to sustain this shift. “We must move toward Acceptance, Action, and Advocacy – to break the stigma and build a mental health ecosystem that supports everyone, irrespective of gender.”
The organisation is calling for a mental health infrastructure that includes paternal mental health as a core component – not an afterthought.
They argue that offering support to fathers is essential not only for their individual wellbeing but also for the emotional health of their families.
Beyond greeting cards and ceremonial appreciation, Mpower has called for Father’s Day to be seen as an opportunity to confront the mental health challenges that many fathers face in silence.
“As we celebrate fathers today, we must also acknowledge the silent emotional struggles many of them face,” said Bhandekar.
“The data from our helpline is a wake-up call.”
Mpower continues to operate its 24/7 toll-free helpline at 1800-120-820050, offering confidential and judgement-free mental health support.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
