The findings shift the conversation from whether students face mental health challenges to why some cities enable students to cope better than others.
Published Oct 10, 2025 | 9:19 AM ⚊ Updated Oct 10, 2025 | 10:34 AM
Mental Health. Representative Image. (iStock)
Synopsis: A study conducted by researchers from SRM University, Andhra Pradesh, revealed that whilst mental health challenges remain widespread, students in Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Chennai demonstrate resilience and report outcomes that surpass those in cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata.
One in four students in Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Chennai struggles with anxiety — 28.2 percent in Chennai, 28.5 percent in Hyderabad, and 27.7 percent in Bengaluru. One in 10 battles depression—11.8 percent in Chennai, 11.4 percent in Bengaluru and 11.2 percent in Hyderabad.
Another quarter reports losing behavioural and emotional control — 27.5 percent in Chennai, 27.2 percent in Hyderabad, and 26.1 percent in Bengaluru. The numbers, drawn from a study of 689 students across these three southern cities, expose the mental health challenges confronting young adults in India’s educational hubs.
Yet these same cities, despite the prevalence of anxiety and loss of control, fare better than most of their counterparts across the nation. A study conducted by researchers from SRM University, Andhra Pradesh, surveyed 1,628 students aged between 18 and 29 years across eight metropolitan cities between July and November 2023, revealing that whilst mental health challenges remain widespread, students in Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Chennai demonstrate resilience and report outcomes that surpass those in cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata.
The findings shift the conversation from whether students face mental health challenges to why some cities enable students to cope better than others.
The research, titled “Mental Health of Young Adults Pursuing Higher Education in Tier-1 Cities of India“, confirms what educators and parents have feared: India faces a youth mental health emergency.
Nationally, 70.3 percent of students show moderate to high levels of distress, 69.9 percent suffer from anxiety, and 59.9 percent exhibit symptoms of depression. Over 65 percent report losing control over their emotions and behaviour.
“The main objective of the present study was to analyse the prevalence of mental health dimensions in young adult students in various educational institutes across eight tier-1 Indian cities,” the authors explained, noting that the research examines “variations by gender, geographical zones, cities, and types of institutions to understand their influence on mental health.”
Against this backdrop, the three southern cities emerge not as havens free from mental health challenges, but as places where students navigate these challenges with better support and outcomes.
When researchers examined depression levels across cities, Hyderabad distinguished itself. Students in the city recorded a depression score of 11.2 — the lowest amongst cities studied. Compared to Delhi, where students scored 12.3 and Chennai at 11.8, the difference becomes significant.
“Students in Hyderabad exhibited significantly lower depression levels compared to those in Delhi, highlighting regional variations in mental health and the need for city-specific programs and interventions,” the authors emphasised.
The city’s 258 students in the study reported a psychological well-being score of 49.9 and an overall mental health index of 141.0. Their anxiety levels measured 28.5, and whilst this affects roughly one in four students, it positions Hyderabad favourably compared to other metros.
What distinguishes Hyderabad extends beyond the numbers themselves. The city demonstrated consistency in outcomes, with a standard deviation of 19.0 for psychological distress, suggesting that benefits reach students across different backgrounds and institutions.
The study pointed to factors that may explain Hyderabad’s performance. The city’s growing IT and pharmaceutical sectors provide students with tangible career prospects, reducing anxiety about their futures. Its cost of living, lower than Mumbai or Delhi, alleviating financial pressures that compound mental health challenges in other cities.
If Hyderabad leads in preventing depression, Bengaluru claims the title of India’s most balanced city for student mental health. With an overall mental health index of 143.0 — the highest amongst cities studied — and psychological distress at 71.4 — the lowest measurement — Bengaluru creates conditions where students manage multiple dimensions of wellbeing.
The data tells a consistent story. Bengaluru students reported anxiety levels of 27.7, affecting just over one in four students — the lowest amongst the three southern cities. Their scores for loss of behavioural emotional control measured 26.1, again leading their peers. Life satisfaction reached 3.77, whilst emotional ties scored 7.01 — both topping the charts.
Depression in Bengaluru affects 11.4 percent of students, compared to 11.2 percent in Hyderabad and 11.8 percent in Chennai. Psychological distress measured 71.4, lower than Hyderabad’s 73.2 and Chennai’s 73.9.
Perhaps most revealing: Bengaluru demonstrated the least variation in outcomes, with a standard deviation of 16.0 for psychological distress. This suggests that the city’s advantages don’t concentrate amongst privileged students but distribute more evenly across institutional types and economic backgrounds.
The study authors noted that “cities such as Bangalore and Hyderabad, despite being hubs of educational excellence, benefit from robust mental health initiatives and a growing awareness of mental health issues, which may positively influence students’ psychological well-being.”
Bengaluru’s technology ecosystem does more than provide jobs — it creates an atmosphere of innovation and possibility. The city’s educational infrastructure supports diverse student communities, enabling young adults to find both challenge and connection.
Chennai forces researchers to confront contradictions. The city’s 189 students reported a positive affect score of 36.2 — the highest amongst the three cities — and tied with Bengaluru for psychological well-being at 50.0.
Yet simultaneously, Chennai students recorded depression scores of 11.8 percent and anxiety levels of 28.2 percent, both higher than their counterparts in Hyderabad and Bengaluru. Life satisfaction measured just 3.54, the lowest amongst the three.
Loss of behavioural and emotional control affects 27.5 percent of Chennai students — roughly one in four — compared to 27.2 percent in Hyderabad and 26.1 percent in Bengaluru. Psychological distress measured 73.9, higher than both Hyderabad (73.2) and Bengaluru (71.4).
The variability tells its own story. Chennai’s standard deviation for the mental health index reached 28.0, the highest amongst the three cities. Some students thrive; others struggle significantly.
“Students in Kolkata had significantly lower General Positive Affect than peers in Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad,” the authors observed, inadvertently highlighting Chennai’s capacity to maintain positivity despite challenges.
The city’s climate — intense heat and humidity — affects daily comfort. Its academic environment remains competitive, and traffic creates stress. Yet Chennai’s culture and community support systems foster resilience amongst those who find ways to adapt.
Step back from individual cities, and a regional pattern emerges. Students from western and southern zones of India, including Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai and Pune, reported higher levels of positivity and well-being compared to those from the eastern region.
“Young adult students from the West and South zones exhibited significantly higher General Positive Affect and Psychological Well-Being than those from the East,” the study authors noted.
Kolkata, representing the East, presented the starkest contrast. Students there reported a positive affect score of 32.6 — significantly lower than the 36.0 to 36.2 range in the three southern cities.
Their psychological well-being measured 45.6, compared to the 49.9 to 50.0 range in the South. Anxiety in Kolkata measured 29.0, affecting nearly one in three students, whilst psychological distress reached 74.8.
This regional divide demands attention. The study suggests that factors including poverty, infrastructure, career opportunities, and social inequalities contribute to variations in mental health outcomes across zones.
Even in cities where students fare better overall, gender disparities persist. Female students across Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Chennai reported higher levels of distress, anxiety, and depression compared to males. The study found that 52.9 percent of the total sample was female, compared to 47.1 percent male.
“Our findings confirm significant gender differences in all Mental Health Dimensions, with female students exhibiting higher distress and lower well-being compared to males. This underscores the need for targeted mental health interventions for young women in educational settings,” the authors emphasised.
The pattern holds regardless of city performance, suggesting that whilst geography matters, gender remains a factor that transcends location.
Where students study matters as much as where they live. The research examined students across institution types — 11.7 percent from universities, 24.8 percent from state universities, 17.9 percent from private universities, 5.2 percent from government arts and science colleges, 23.5 percent from private arts and science colleges, 5.6 percent from government engineering colleges, and 11.2 percent from private engineering colleges.
Students at universities reported higher depression levels, whilst those in government engineering colleges showed higher life satisfaction. Government arts and science college students reported lower life satisfaction, “possibly due to limited resources, outdated infrastructure, and higher academic pressure.”
This institutional variation exists even within cities, adding another layer to understanding mental health outcomes.
The study, conducted between July and November 2023, captures mental health in the aftermath of Covid-19. The researchers describe it as “among the few large-scale analyses conducted in the post-pandemic period focusing on India’s youth mental health crisis.”
The sample consisted of 79.5 percent students aged 18-20, 18.1 percent aged 21-24, and 2.5 percent aged 25-29, reflecting the concentration of mental health challenges among younger students.
“Cities like Mumbai and Delhi, which experience high economic pressures and a fast-paced lifestyle, may contribute to heightened anxiety and depression levels amongst students,” the authors noted. “The competitive educational atmosphere in these metropolitan areas often fosters stress, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. This has further exacerbated mental health challenges by limiting social interactions and increasing uncertainty about the future.”
Yet Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Chennai, despite facing similar pandemic disruptions, maintained better outcomes. Their support systems, community structures, and institutional practices appear to have buffered students against pandemic-induced stress.
The implications reach beyond academic analysis. The authors have outlined actions for stakeholders at every level.
“The findings highlight an urgent need for health policies prioritising young adults’ mental health, emphasising early detection and intervention. Tailored policies should enhance female students’ mental well-being. Urbanisation’s psychological impact on young adults must be considered,” the study authors stated.
For educational institutions, the directive is clear: “Educational institutions should offer comprehensive mental health programmes, including counselling services, workshops, and awareness campaigns tailored to students’ needs. Faculty and staff should be trained to recognise and support mental health issues. Authorities should balance academic workloads to promote well-being and reduce stress.”
The experiences of Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Chennai offer templates. Bengaluru’s consistency suggests the value of equitable access to resources. Hyderabad’s success in reducing depression — keeping it at 11.2 percent compared to 12.3 percent in Delhi — points to the importance of hope and opportunity.
Even Chennai’s contradictions teach lessons about reaching students across different circumstances.
“This study calls for comprehensive mental health policies and interventions tailored to the diverse needs of young adults in India to achieve sustainable development goals on mental health,” the authors concluded.
Meanwhile, Dr Viquasuddin, consultant physician at Olive Hospital, Hyderabad, said what young people needed the most was empathy and space — to be heard, to slow down, and to realise that asking for help isn’t a weakness. “It’s actually the first step toward regaining control,” he said.
Reacting to the study, he said, “These numbers don’t surprise me. College students today carry far more emotional weight than we often realise. Between academic pressure, social comparison, and the constant push to ‘stay ahead,’ many of them end up losing their sense of control.”
He explained that this phase of life — between 18 and 25 — is a critical emotional transition. “They’re learning who they are, often living away from family for the first time, and facing decisions that shape their future. When that’s combined with intense competition and limited outlets to talk about their feelings, anxiety becomes almost inevitable.”
According to Dr Viquasuddin, what’s worrying is that emotional distress among students often hides behind a mask of confidence. “Many young people don’t even realise they’re struggling — they just call it ‘being stressed.’ By the time they seek help, it’s already affecting their concentration, sleep, and relationships.”
However, there’s a silver lining, he added. “The fact that Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Chennai are leading India’s mental health recovery tells us that awareness is growing. More students are seeking counselling, colleges are beginning to introduce mental wellness programs, and conversations about emotional well-being are becoming more open. That’s real progress.”
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
