Kolkata, Mar 13th: Academic pressure, emotional isolation and family expectations are emerging as key mental health stressors among women and girls in Kolkata, according to new insights from Mpower an initiative of Aditya Birla Education Trust’s counselling and outreach programmes.
The findings are based on interactions with 17,208 female beneficiaries in Kolkata, reached through Mpower’s counselling centres, helplines and community outreach initiatives across the city.
The data highlights significant engagement from young girls and adolescents, with 8,982 female beneficiaries below 18 years engaging with mental health initiatives — primarily through outreach and awareness programmes in schools and communities. Mental health professionals say this points to a growing need for early conversations around emotional wellbeing among young people.
Among young adult women aged 18–25, 3,753 beneficiaries reached out through various support channels, frequently reporting concerns related to academic pressure, identity struggles, relationship anxieties and career uncertainty.
Women aged 26–49, accounting for 3,384 beneficiaries, often spoke about relationship challenges, work–life stress and pressures linked to family expectations, while 1,089 women aged 50 and above reported concerns related to loneliness, family transitions and emotional wellbeing later in life.
Mental health professionals note that Kolkata’s emotional landscape reflects the intersection of ambition, cultural expectations and evolving social roles for women, particularly for younger generations navigating academic and career transitions.
These city-level insights are part of a broader pattern across eastern India, where Mpower programmes have collectively reached over 148,000 beneficiaries through counselling services, helplines and mental health outreach initiatives.
Across the East Zone, counsellors are observing recurring themes of academic stress among young people, emotional isolation, relationship uncertainty and pressures related to balancing personal aspirations with family responsibilities.
Mrs. Neerja Birla, Founder and Chairperson of the Aditya Birla Education Trust and Mpower, said: “Women’s mental health is shaped not only by individual experiences but by the systems they navigate every day across work, family and society. Through Mpower’s work across cities and communities, we are seeing more women speak openly about their mental health and seek support. As a society, we must respond by building accessible, stigma free ecosystems across homes, workplaces and communities that enable women to prioritise their wellbeing.”
Dr. Preeti Parakh, Psychiatrist, Mpower,Kolkata said: “What we are seeing in Kolkata is a strong need for early emotional support, particularly among adolescents and young adults. Many young girls are navigating academic expectations, identity formation and changing social dynamics, which can create significant psychological pressure. As women move into adulthood, concerns often shift towards relationship stress, family expectations and balancing personal aspirations with responsibilities. Early access to counselling and open conversations around mental health can play a critical role in helping individuals build coping skills and emotional resilience.”
Mental health professionals at Mpower say the growing engagement with counselling and outreach programmes also signals increasing awareness around mental health and the importance of early support.
The findings highlight the need for stronger mental health awareness initiatives across educational institutions, communities and workplaces, ensuring that women and girls across eastern India have access to the support they need to navigate emotional challenges and build resilience.
