As conversations around therapy, burnout, and relationships grow, emotional intelligence is emerging as a powerful new definition of strength

A father sits beside his eight-year-old son, not because the child alone needs counselling, but because he wants to become a better parent. Across the city, a young professional tells his manager he is burned out instead of hiding behind late nights. Elsewhere, a husband encourages his wife to pursue a career change, even if it means reshaping the family’s finances. A decade ago, none of these moments would have comfortably fit the traditional image of Indian masculinity.

For generations, men were expected to provide, endure and remain emotionally composed. Vulnerability was often mistaken for weakness, and resilience meant suffering in silence. Today, while that expectation hasn’t disappeared, a quieter shift is taking place. More men are seeking therapy, speaking openly about stress, participating in parenting and placing emotional wellbeing alongside financial success. Experts say this gradual change could redefine masculinity for a new generation.

Breaking silence

The need for this shift is evident in the numbers. According to the National Mental Health Survey by NIMHANS, nearly 10.6 per cent of Indian adults live with a diagnosable mental health disorder, while almost 15 per cent require active mental health intervention. The burden is higher in urban India, yet between 70 and 92 per cent of those needing care never receive treatment because of stigma, lack of awareness and limited access. Government data also shows that men account for nearly 73 per cent of all suicide deaths in the country, highlighting the emotional burden many continue to carry in silence.