The recently concluded Manotsava 2025 mental health festival in Bengaluru took a deep dive into critical issues affecting today's youth, with particular focus on intimacy, identity, and the alarming rise in suicide rates among young Indians.
Addressing the Youth Mental Health Crisis
Held on November 9, 2025, the festival brought together mental health experts, influencers, and community members to discuss pressing psychological challenges facing the younger generation. The event highlighted how changing social dynamics and evolving gender roles are creating unique mental health pressures that require immediate attention and understanding.
Masculinity in the Modern World
Youth influencer Shivam Dutt delivered a powerful talk about masculinity in the Gen Z context, emphasizing the interconnected nature of mental health and masculine identity. "We want to talk about mental health and masculinity together because if I have a mental health issue and cannot create content, it sets me behind," Dutt explained during his session.
His comments shed light on the specific challenges faced by young men navigating traditional expectations of masculinity while dealing with contemporary mental health struggles. The discussion highlighted how performance pressure, both professionally and personally, significantly impacts mental wellbeing.
Comprehensive Approach to Mental Wellness
The festival covered multiple dimensions of mental health, including:
- The relationship between intimacy and psychological wellbeing
- Identity formation in the digital age
- Practical strategies for suicide prevention
- Community-based support systems
Organizers emphasized the urgent need to address rising suicide statistics through open conversation and destigmatization of mental health discussions. The event served as a crucial platform for sharing resources and building supportive networks among Bengaluru's youth population.
Mental health professionals at the event stressed that creating safe spaces for honest conversation about emotional struggles could play a vital role in reversing troubling trends in youth suicide rates. The festival's comprehensive approach demonstrated the growing recognition that mental health requires addressing multiple facets of modern life simultaneously.
