Healing Begins Here: A Simple Guide to Therapy, Helplines, and Mental First Aid
Tanya, a 28-year-old marketing executive in Pune, knew something wasn’t right. She couldn’t sleep, her appetite was gone, and even the smallest tasks felt like mountains. But she kept telling herself, “It’s just stress. It’ll go away.”
Weeks passed. It didn’t.
Finally, she searched “mental health helpline India” at 3 a.m. — and that small act of courage became her turning point.
Seeking help shouldn’t be the last resort. It should be the first step.
But many people don’t know where or how to begin. So let’s break it down — simple, practical, stigma-free.
When Should You Seek Help?
If you’re:
- Feeling low for more than 2 weeks
- Unable to concentrate or sleep
- Overwhelmed by stress or fear
- Thinking of hurting yourself
- Feeling emotionally stuck or disconnected from life
Please know: You don’t need to “wait until it gets worse” to reach out.
Helplines That Listen (India-Based & Free)
- iCall – 9152987821 (anonymous and confidential)
- Vandrevala Foundation Helpline – 9999 666 555 / 1860 266 2345
- AASRA – 91-9820466726 (suicide prevention)
- KIRAN (Govt. of India) – 1800-599-0019
These lines are staffed by trained counselors. You don’t need a diagnosis. Just a voice willing to listen.
Therapy 101 – It’s Not Just for “Serious” Issues
What is therapy? A guided space to explore your thoughts, feelings, and behavior with a trained mental health professional.
Where can you find it? Online platforms like Mindpeers, YourDOST, Manastha, or NGOs like Sangath and The Mind Clan.
Cost issues? Many offer sliding scales or free services.
Mental First Aid – Start Small
- Journaling your emotions
- Practicing deep breathing or grounding techniques
- Talking to a trusted friend or mentor
- Limiting social media when overwhelmed
- Daily routines: eat, sleep, walk — it helps more than you think
Tanya now sees a therapist once a week and volunteers with a youth mental health initiative. Her words?
“I didn’t need to be broken to ask for help. I just needed to be human.”
And so do you.
Healing begins when you stop hiding and start reaching. Your mind matters. Your story matters. And help is always within reach.