Socialite and actor Shalini Passi has ignited a significant conversation about generational perspectives on mental health after recounting a personal interaction with a young person. The incident, which she shared on a podcast, highlights a common but problematic tendency among adults to dismiss the emotional struggles of the younger generation.
The Anecdote That Sparked Debate
During a recent appearance on Deepak Pareek's podcast The Chill Hour, Shalini Passi revealed that a Gen Z individual approached her, confiding, "Aunty, I am very depressed." Passi, known for her role in Fabulous Lives vs Bollywood Wives, described how she responded to this vulnerable admission.
She recalled telling the young person, "At your age, I had a kid, I was running a house and doing late-night classes. What are you depressed about?" Passi further emphasized that the individual was attending a top university and had opportunities she would have cherished, suggesting their feelings were "all in your mind."
Passi also noted that friends often send their children to talk to her because the kids feel unable to communicate with their own parents, a point that experts say is critically important to understand.
Why Children Seek Non-Parental Confidants
Deepti Chandy, Therapist and COO of Anna Chandy & Associates, explained this phenomenon to indianexpress.com. She stated that it is very common for children to feel safer opening up to adults who are not their parents.
Children are intuitively aware that parents are deeply emotionally invested, which can lead to worry, strong reactions, and the introduction of the parents' own fears or expectations into the conversation. This dynamic can make it difficult for a child to speak freely, especially about feelings that might upset their caregivers.
"Non-parental adults, whether therapists, teachers, counsellors, or trusted mentors, offer a degree of emotional neutrality," Chandy explained. This distance, similar to the therapeutic environment, creates a sense of safety and anonymity, allowing for more honest expression without immediate fear of judgment or consequences.
The Lasting Impact of Dismissing Emotional Struggles
Chandy elaborated on why adults often minimize children's mental health concerns, pointing out that despite growing awareness, children's emotional struggles have traditionally been dismissed as attention-seeking, exaggerated, or just a phase.
"When a child’s feelings are repeatedly trivialised, it sends a message that their inner experiences are not important or worthy of attention," she warned. This erosion of trust and emotional safety can lead children to internalize their struggles, seek validation elsewhere, and stop confiding in their parents altogether.
The expert stressed that while parents should avoid overreacting, listening attentively and validating a child's emotions is crucial. When a child shares something emotional, they are offering trust. The adult's response in that moment directly shapes the child's future willingness to communicate.
"When this connection is missing, children may increasingly rely on peers or other third parties to meet their emotional needs, rather than turning to their caregivers," Chandy noted. She reiterated that parents who consistently listen and validate emotions often maintain open lines of communication through adolescence and into adulthood.
The conversation, stemming from Passi's anecdote shared on January 8, 2026, serves as a timely reminder of the evolving understanding of mental health across generations and the importance of empathetic, non-judgmental listening.
