Pregnancy, childhood, school, college, careers, relationships and ageing — mental well-being evolves with us. This World Mental Health Day, 14 voices from healthcare, education, business and social impact explore what it means to be heard, supported and understood at every stage of life.

Life rarely unfolds in neat chapters. There is the anticipation of becoming a parent, the vulnerability of being a child, the pressure to perform at school, the uncertainty of entering adulthood and the responsibility of building a career. There are relationships that shape us, experiences that stay with us longer than expected, and moments when even the most capable among us need someone to ask if we are really okay.

Mental health accompanies us through every one of these transitions. Yet, the support available to us often depends on our age, our environment and whether the people around us recognise what we are experiencing.

A new mother may struggle to articulate her emotions. A child experiencing bullying may learn to remain silent. A college student moving to a new city may feel lonely despite being constantly connected. An employee may mistake exhaustion for ambition, while an older adult may find that meaningful social connections become increasingly difficult to maintain.

For World Mental Health Day on October 10, 2026, Mauve explores mental well-being through the chronology of human life — from pregnancy and early childhood to school, college, professional life, relationships and beyond.

The central question is not simply how we protect our mental health, but how we create environments that allow people to seek support before distress becomes overwhelming.

1. Before Birth: The Emotional World of Pregnancy

Pregnancy is often narrated as a time of anticipation, joy and preparation. But alongside the excitement can come anxiety, uncertainty, physical discomfort and the emotional adjustment of preparing for a profound life change.

Expectations surrounding motherhood can make these feelings particularly difficult to acknowledge. When women are repeatedly told that pregnancy should be the happiest time of their lives, admitting to fear or emotional exhaustion can feel like a failure to live up to an ideal.

Jiya Chopra, Consultant, Counsellor & Mental Health Practitioner at The Women’s Hospital (TWH), believes that maternal emotional well-being deserves the same attention as physical health.

Jiya Chopra, Consultant, Counsellor & Mental Health Practitioner, The Women’s Hospital (TWH), says:

“Pregnancy and motherhood can be deeply fulfilling, but they can also bring anxiety, uncertainty and moments of feeling overwhelmed. The expectation that women should naturally navigate this phase with joy and fulfilment can make it difficult for them to acknowledge when they are struggling.

This World Mental Health Day, we must recognise that every woman’s experience is different and that emotional well-being deserves the same attention as physical health. At The Women’s Hospital (TWH), supporting women means understanding these needs and helping them access the care they deserve.”

Her perspective highlights the importance of recognising emotional changes during pregnancy rather than treating them as something women must simply manage on their own.

Support can begin with open conversations, attentive healthcare professionals and families who understand that pregnancy does not produce one universal emotional experience.

2. Birth and Early Motherhood: When the Baby Is Not the Only One Who Needs Care

The arrival of a baby changes the rhythms of everyday life. Sleep becomes unpredictable, responsibilities multiply and a new identity begins to take shape. Even when a mother is deeply attached to her child, the transition can be emotionally demanding.

Maternal care must therefore extend beyond the baby’s physical health. It should also recognise the mother’s emotional experience, including persistent anxiety, low mood or feelings of being overwhelmed.

Chopra’s message is particularly relevant during this period: women should not have to conceal their struggles to meet society’s expectations of motherhood.

Families can help by sharing caregiving responsibilities, making space for honest conversations and taking emotional concerns seriously. Healthcare providers can help by encouraging women to discuss their mental well-being and seek appropriate professional support when needed.

The larger lesson is that caring for a newborn and caring for the person raising that child are not competing priorities. Both deserve attention.

3. Early Childhood: The Experiences We Carry Forward

Childhood is often remembered through milestones: first words, first friendships, school admissions and family holidays. But the emotional foundations of adulthood are also shaped by less visible experiences — how children are treated, whether they feel safe and how adults respond when they are distressed.

Repeated bullying, humiliation and exclusion can affect a child’s sense of self long after the experience itself has ended.

Mansi Poddar, a trauma-informed psychotherapist, reflects on the lasting effects of bullying through her own experience.

Mansi Poddar, Trauma-Informed Psychotherapist, says:

“Some experiences from childhood don’t stay in childhood.

Bullying was one of those experiences for me. Having experienced persistent bullying throughout my school years, I know how deeply these experiences can shape us. I remember feeling helpless, unsure of how to respond, and often unable to speak up for myself. I learned to stay quiet, adapt and avoid situations that felt unsafe. But those experiences did not simply end when school ended. They left an imprint on how I understood myself, relationships and safety. Later in adulthood, I sometimes found myself in relationships where criticism, control or bullying felt familiar. It took time to understand that what feels familiar is not necessarily what is healthy.

This is why bullying is about much more than a child being “mean” or another child being “too sensitive.” Repeated humiliation, exclusion or intimidation can affect a child’s confidence, trust, emotional regulation and sense of safety. Some children internalise these experiences and become anxious or withdrawn, while others may express their distress through anger or aggression.

Bullying also does not always happen between children of the same age. It can come from teachers or other adults in positions of authority, making it even harder for a child to speak up or seek help. A child may begin to believe that fear, humiliation or control are simply part of relationships.

We also need to look beyond the label of “bully.” A child who bullies may be struggling with insecurity, emotional regulation, a need for control or experiences they have witnessed themselves. Understanding this does not excuse the behaviour, but it helps us respond more effectively.

Adults need to listen without dismissing or blaming, take concerns seriously and set clear boundaries. Real support means rebuilding safety and helping children understand what healthy, respectful relationships look and feel like.”

Poddar’s experience illustrates why adults must look beyond the immediate incident. A child who becomes withdrawn, anxious or unusually aggressive may be communicating distress in a way they cannot yet articulate.

The responsibility of parents, caregivers and educators is to create an environment in which children can speak without fear of being dismissed or blamed. Understanding the reasons behind harmful behaviour is important, but it must never come at the expense of protecting the child experiencing it.

4. School Life: Beyond Marks, Rankings and Report Cards

School introduces children to a new set of expectations. Academic performance begins to influence how success is measured, friendships become increasingly significant and social comparison can affect self-esteem.

In a world shaped by digital technologies and constant exposure to other people’s achievements, students may find it difficult to separate their sense of worth from their results.

Principal Dr. Alka Kapur of Modern Public School, Shalimar Bagh, argues that emotional well-being must become an integral part of education.

Principal Dr. Alka Kapur, Modern Public School, Shalimar Bagh, says:

“Student wellbeing and mental health must become an integral part of education rather than an afterthought. The students these days live in a society which is characterized by a growing demand for academic success, constant social comparison, pressure arising from digital technologies, and uncertainty about the future. Even though it is important to achieve good results in studies, this should not be done at the cost of emotional wellbeing.

It is the responsibility of educational institutions to build safe spaces for children where children can speak their minds without having to fear criticism. Teachers and parents must go beyond questions like, ‘What’s your result?’ and also ask, ‘How are you doing?’ It is possible to make a significant impact on students’ well-being through simple conversations, engaging in regular well-being activities, providing counselling assistance, providing opportunities for communication, and actively participating in sports, music, and art activities.

The definition of educational success must also evolve. A student is successful not merely because of high marks, but because they have the courage to face challenges, respect others, act responsibly, and develop a healthy self-esteem.

It is important to remember that in order to equip future generations to rise to the challenges of an ever changing world, we must nurture both their intellect and emotions. Academic excellence may open doors, but emotional strength helps young people walk through them with confidence and purpose.”

Her perspective asks schools to expand their understanding of achievement. Academic excellence matters, but it cannot be the only measure of a child’s development.

Students also need access to counselling, opportunities for creative expression, supportive teachers and the assurance that asking for help will not diminish their standing.

The most meaningful question a parent can ask after a school day may not be about marks. It may be whether their child felt included, supported and understood.

5. College and Early Adulthood: The Loneliness Behind Independence

College and early adulthood are often presented as years of freedom, exploration and possibility. For many young people, however, they also involve leaving familiar support systems, navigating new social environments and making decisions about the future.

Moving to another city can bring opportunities while simultaneously creating emotional distance from family and long-standing friendships. Digital communication helps people stay connected, but it does not always replace the experience of being understood by someone who shares their everyday life.

Dr. Malay Patel, Psychiatrist at Saraswati Hospital, Ahmedabad, draws attention to the emotional loneliness that can accompany urban life.

Dr. Malay Patel, Psychiatrist, Saraswati Hospital, Ahmedabad, says:

“In a rapidly expanding metropolis like Ahmedabad, hyper-connectivity
often masks profound social isolation. Young professionals and
students moving to city like Ahmedabad frequently trade tight-knit
family support systems for digital interactions, leading to chronic
emotional loneliness despite living in crowded urban pockets. To
bridge this gap, we must shift our focus from mere social presence to
emotional depth, engaging in micro-connections, joining local
community groups, and prioritizing face-to-face interactions that
ground us.”

His observation highlights a distinction that is particularly relevant during the transition to adulthood: being surrounded by people is not the same as feeling connected to them.

Building a new support system takes time. Joining communities, pursuing shared interests and creating opportunities for regular, face-to-face interaction can help young adults develop relationships that extend beyond convenience or digital contact.

This stage of life also brings uncertainty about careers, identity, relationships and independence. Making room for those conversations can help young people understand that uncertainty is not something they must navigate entirely alone.

6. The First Job and Beyond: When Ambition Meets Emotional Exhaustion

Entering the workforce introduces a new vocabulary of deadlines, performance reviews, targets and professional expectations. For many people, their first years at work are also when they begin learning how to set boundaries, manage competing demands and separate personal worth from professional achievement.

The pressure is not limited to any one industry. It can be especially pronounced in fast-moving environments where being available around the clock is mistaken for commitment.

Masuma Siddique, Founder of InkCraft Communications, reflects on the relationship between rest, creativity and sustainable work.

Masuma Siddique, Founder, InkCraft Communications, says:

“In our world, news never sleeps, and for a long time I thought I couldn’t either. I’ve learnt the hard way that a tired mind cannot tell a good story. Today we treat rest as part of the work, not a reward after it. That means respecting people’s evenings, trusting the team and normalising the conversation when someone is struggling. The best ideas don’t come from burnout. They come from a mind that has had room to breathe.”

Her perspective is particularly relevant to media, communications and creative industries, where constant updates and tight deadlines can blur the distinction between working hours and personal time.

Rest should not have to be earned through exhaustion. Reasonable boundaries, trust and supportive leadership can help people maintain their energy without normalising burnout.

7. Building a Career: What Does a Mentally Healthy Workplace Look Like?

As people progress in their careers, their responsibilities may expand to include managing teams, supporting families and making decisions that affect others. Professional success can bring fulfilment, but it can also introduce sustained pressure.

This makes workplace mental health more than an individual concern. Organisational policies, leadership practices and access to support all influence how employees experience their working lives.

Mansi Sawant, Head HR – People and Culture at Orient Technologies Limited, believes employee well-being is fundamental to building resilient organisations.

Mansi Sawant, Head HR – People and Culture, Orient Technologies Limited, says:

“World Mental Health Day is an important reminder that employee well-being is not simply a workplace priority. It is fundamental to building resilient, high-performing and future-ready organisations. As workplaces continue to evolve, organisations must go beyond traditional wellness initiatives and create cultures where people feel heard, supported and safe to speak openly. Meaningful conversations around mental well-being, combined with the right support systems, can help employees navigate challenges with greater confidence and build lasting resilience. When people feel supported, they are better positioned to contribute, grow and thrive, both personally and professionally.”

The emphasis is on creating a culture where employees can discuss challenges without worrying that doing so will undermine their professional credibility.

Aparna Rao Basu, Senior Vice President and Head of Human Resources at Sagility India, describes an approach that combines flexibility, employee feedback and inclusion.

Aparna Rao Basu, Senior Vice President and Head Human Resources, Sagility India, says:

“Workplace mental health requires moving beyond standard wellness programs toward structural support mechanisms that directly reduce stress. At Sagility, we realize this commitment through an integrated framework designed around our people’s real-world needs.

By embedding flexibility into our operations through hybrid work arrangements and flexible shift timings, we empower our teams to balance professional excellence with personal peace. We heavily invest in active listening to co-create an environment where every individual feels heard and protected. Under our Wonder of Wellness (WoW) initiative, we actively support the multi-dimensional facets of emotional and mental health with tangible policies like hybrid work options and flexible shift timings. We have created active channels for employee input, allowing teams to balance demanding schedules with personal well-being. Our structured Voice of Employee feedback channels allow us to track stress indicators and address systemic workplace issues directly. Furthermore, through specialized training along with targeted peer networks and employee resource groups like the S.H.E. Circle and Abilities Circle we ensure diversity and equity while mitigating identity-specific stressors.

On this World Mental Health Day, we reinforce our conviction that employee well-being is the cornerstone of a sustainable, inclusive, and thriving enterprise, it is the foundation that allows our global workforce to belong, grow, and bring their true, best selves to work every single day.”

At CSM Technologies, the focus includes access to confidential support and creating opportunities for employees to raise concerns.

Lagna Panda, Chief Human Resources Officer, CSM Technologies, says:

“Deadlines, evolving responsibilities and workplace pressures are an inevitable part of today’s professional environment. At CSM, we believe that creating a healthy workplace begins with recognizing that employees are individuals with different needs, experiences and challenges. Supporting well-being, therefore, is not just about providing benefits, it is about creating an environment where people feel heard, supported and valued. We have consciously built an open-door culture where employees feel comfortable reaching out and having conversations about their concerns. Our partnership with an external counsellor provides employees with a safe and confidential avenue to seek support for personal, emotional or work-related challenges. Alongside this, we conduct regular health camps and encourage employees to prioritize their physical well-being through initiatives such as yoga and Zumba sessions.”

Together, these perspectives illustrate how mental well-being at work depends on more than occasional wellness activities. Flexible working arrangements, confidential counselling, employee feedback and inclusive peer networks can help organisations address the realities of working life.

The challenge is to ensure that these commitments are reflected in everyday management practices, not just in annual campaigns.

8. Adulthood and Relationships: When the Past Shapes the Present

Growing older does not automatically resolve the emotional effects of earlier experiences. Childhood bullying, repeated criticism or environments in which people felt unsafe can influence how they understand relationships and respond to conflict later in life.

Mansi Poddar’s account of her experience with bullying offers a perspective on how familiar patterns can continue into adulthood.

Her reflection that what feels familiar is not necessarily what is healthy is particularly relevant to the relationships people form as adults.

Recognising these patterns can take time. It may involve learning to establish boundaries, identifying behaviour that undermines emotional safety and understanding that respectful relationships do not require enduring humiliation or control.

Nupoor Mohan of The Full Circle also argues that therapy should not be reserved for moments when life becomes unmanageable.

Her comparison between emotional and physical care offers a useful perspective for adults navigating relationships, career transitions and changing responsibilities: seeking support can be a constructive way to understand oneself, even when there is no single crisis to resolve.

Mental well-being in adulthood is not about achieving a permanent state of calm. It is about having the support, awareness and resources to respond to life’s challenges without having to face every difficulty alone.

9. Across Every Age: Making Mental Healthcare More Accessible

Mental health needs do not follow a single timeline. A person may require support during childhood, pregnancy, a career transition, a period of illness or later life. For some people, accessing care also requires overcoming barriers related to disability, communication or the availability of appropriate services.

Uttam Kumar, CEO of Sense International India, emphasises that persons with deafblindness must be included in mental health services and policies.

Uttam Kumar, CEO, Sense International India, says:

“On World Mental Health Day 2026, as the world calls for lived experiences to be heard, we must confront an uncomfortable truth: whose voices are we actually listening to?

For persons with deafblindness, mental health is inseparable from communication, connection and the ability to participate in everyday life. When a person cannot see or hear and has no one around them who understands tactile communication, isolation is not a personal failing, but a barrier created by society. The resulting silence can become far more than sensory; it can become deeply emotional and existential.

We cannot continue to overlook the mental health consequences of this exclusion. Anxiety, depression and emotional withdrawal can intensify when people are denied meaningful communication, social connection and access to appropriate support. There is also a significant gap in the ecosystem to identify and address these needs, including limited access to the right tools and a lack of psychologists and counsellors trained to work with persons with deafblindness.

As Sense, we believe listening must mean more than hearing words. It must mean creating the conditions in which every person can communicate, be understood and belong.

Real change means accessible mental health services, trained professionals, skilled tactile communicators, appropriate tools, and policies that recognise communication access as fundamental to mental wellbeing. Until persons with deafblindness are visible in our mental health policies, services and practice, we cannot claim that we are truly listening to everyone.”

Accessibility must be considered at every stage of life. A child, student, working adult or older person should not be excluded from mental healthcare because services are not equipped to meet their communication needs.

This also requires recognising the limits of awareness alone. People need access to qualified professionals, appropriate assessment, confidential support and services that respond to their circumstances.

10. The Mind and Body Through the Years

Mental and physical health remain connected throughout life. Stress can affect sleep, energy and daily functioning, while physical health challenges may influence emotional well-being. Paying attention to both can support a more complete understanding of a person’s needs.

Dr. Komal Bhangu Grewal encourages people to prioritise sleep, physical activity, mindful eating and time for themselves, while seeking professional help when needed.

Dr. Prasanna Vignesh, Executive Director and Radiologist at Aarthi Scans and Labs, adds that medical investigations, including MRI, can help clinicians evaluate suspected neurological or structural abnormalities when symptoms warrant it.

Dr. Prasanna Vignesh, MDRD, Executive Director and Radiologist, Aarthi Scans and Labs, says:

“On World Mental Health Day, it is important to recognise that mental well-being and physical health are deeply interconnected. While mental health conditions require comprehensive clinical and psychological care, imaging can play an important supporting role when doctors need to rule out or identify underlying neurological or structural abnormalities that may present with changes in behaviour, cognition, memory or mood. Advances in MRI and other imaging technologies are enabling radiologists to provide clinicians with greater clarity, helping them make more informed decisions as part of a multidisciplinary approach to patient care. The larger message is that mental health concerns should not be dismissed or normalised when they persist, early evaluation, appropriate diagnosis and timely intervention can make a meaningful difference to a person’s quality of life.”

The important distinction is that mental health concerns deserve appropriate evaluation rather than assumptions about their cause. Lifestyle habits can support general well-being, but they do not replace clinical care when a person needs it.

11. Beyond Work and Responsibility: Learning to Rest

As responsibilities accumulate, time for rest and recreation can become difficult to protect. Yet meaningful breaks, supportive relationships and opportunities to step away from routine can contribute to a more balanced life.

Sohail Mirchandani, COO and Co-Founder of EkoStay, observes a shift towards travel experiences that prioritise slowing down rather than maximising the number of activities in an itinerary.

Sohail Mirchandani, COO and Co-Founder, EkoStay, says:

“Guests are no longer travelling to see ten places in five days. They are travelling to breathe. We see people choosing private villas surrounded by nature, slow mornings, long meals with family and no fixed plans. The trip has become a reset button rather than a checklist. The new luxury is a stay where nobody needs anything from you, and where you come home lighter than you left.”

His observation captures a broader cultural shift towards experiences that leave room for rest, connection and spontaneity.

A holiday cannot resolve every mental health challenge, but the opportunity to reconnect with loved ones, enjoy nature or step away from constant demands can form part of a wider approach to well-being.

For people who spend much of their lives managing responsibilities, learning to rest without guilt can be an important change in how they relate to their time and energy.

12. The Later Years: Why Connection Must Continue

Mental health does not stop being important when formal education ends, careers become established or children grow up. Nor should emotional support become less visible as people move into later adulthood.

The perspectives shared by the contributors in this feature point towards a principle that applies across generations: people need opportunities to communicate, maintain relationships and seek support when their circumstances change.

For older adults, as for younger people, meaningful connection can involve family relationships, friendships, community participation and access to appropriate healthcare. Life transitions may alter routines and social networks, making it important to recognise when someone needs additional support.

While the experiences of ageing vary widely, the broader message remains consistent. Emotional well-being deserves attention throughout life, not only during the years when academic or professional pressures are most visible.

13. The Question That Matters at Every Age

Sanjay Desai, author, entrepreneur and Founder & CEO of ConsciousLeap, believes meaningful support often begins with a second question.

Sanjay Desai, Author, Entrepreneur, and Founder & CEO of ConsciousLeap, says:

“Ask a room of teenagers how they are, and “fine” comes back so fast it sounds rehearsed. Ask a second time, quietly, and the answer changes. A maths exam. A group chat that went silent. A friend who has stopped replying.

That second answer is what World Mental Health Day on 10 October is really about this year. The World Federation for Mental Health has set the 2026 theme as “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change”, and honestly the hard part is the first word. Hearing anyone out takes time, and a busy classroom, office or kitchen at 7 pm rarely has much going spare.

Most mental health talk still happens late, after a student stops turning up or a colleague goes quiet for weeks. Earlier looks plainer than people expect. A student gets used to saying “I’m stressed” before it turns into panic. A teacher has someone watching out for her too, so she notices the child at the back who has stopped joking around. A parent asks a second question over dinner and puts the phone down for the answer.

None of this comes from one assembly or one awareness day. It comes from doing it again and again until it is ordinary, and asking for help ends up as unremarkable as borrowing a pencil.

The real test comes after 10 October, once the posters are down and the hashtags have moved on. Does anyone still stop, ask how the week has been, and sit through the awkward pause that follows?”

Desai’s observation returns us to the central idea of this story. Mental health support is not always a dramatic intervention. Sometimes it begins when someone notices a change, asks a thoughtful question and makes enough space for an honest answer.

It can mean a parent listening to a child, a healthcare professional asking about emotional well-being, a manager responding constructively to a concern or a friend recognising that a familiar response no longer sounds convincing.

Listening is not a substitute for professional care, but it can help people feel less alone and make it easier to seek additional support when necessary.

From Pregnancy to Ageing, Mental Health Is a Lifelong Conversation

The experiences explored in this feature are different, but they reveal a shared responsibility.

Pregnant women need emotional support alongside physical care. Children need safe environments in which they can speak about difficult experiences. Students need schools that value emotional development alongside academic achievement. Young adults need opportunities to build meaningful connections. Employees need workplaces that take stress seriously, while people with disabilities need services that recognise their communication and accessibility needs.

Across adulthood and later life, the need for connection, understanding and appropriate care continues.

There is no single formula for mental well-being, and no one routine can address every challenge. Meaningful support requires a combination of individual care, trusted relationships, accessible services and institutions that respond to people’s needs.

World Mental Health Day provides an opportunity to begin or deepen these conversations. But the responsibility does not end when the day does.

It continues in the questions we ask our children, the support we offer new mothers, the way we treat colleagues, the boundaries we respect and the services we make available to those who need them.

From the first kick of pregnancy to the changes that accompany ageing, mental health is not a separate chapter in the human story. It is woven through all of it.

And perhaps the most important thing we can offer one another, at every age, is the reassurance that no one has to wait until they are falling apart to deserve care.