Hyderabad: June is globally observed as Men’s Mental Health Month. It is a time meant to shed light on the often-silent emotional struggles that men face, but rarely speak about.
In India, where the stigma around emotional vulnerability still lingers heavily, conversations around men’s mental well-being don’t always begin with therapy sessions or helpline numbers.
Instead, for many men in Hyderabad, the most honest conversations about mental health unfold far away from clinics. They happen in barbershops, gyms, chai stalls, or beside a motorcycle engine in a garage. In these everyday settings, vulnerability shows up without fanfare — not as confessionals, but as conversation. Not labelled as therapy, but sometimes offering the same kind of release.
The Barbershop Chair: A Confessional Without Judgement
“Some of my regulars talk more in the 30 minutes they sit here than they probably do all week,” says Mohammed Sameer, a barber in Abids who has been cutting hair for 14 years. “They’ll start with how work is stressful, then talk about their wives or parents, and sometimes, they’ll just pause and say, ‘I don’t know who else I can say this to.’”
Sameer doesn’t offer solutions. He simply listens and nods when needed. “They know I won’t repeat it,” he adds. “That’s enough for many of them.”
Barbershops have long been cultural meeting places, but in recent years, they’re also becoming accidental safe spaces for emotional release. The lack of formal structure might be why they work: there’s no pressure to open up, no clipboard in sight — just scissors, mirrors, and unspoken trust.
Iron and Emotion: Finding Solace in Gyms
At Pulse Fitness Studio in Banjara Hills, trainer Sandeep Reddy has noticed a recurring pattern. “Men often come here to work on their bodies, but what they’re trying to fix is stress, loneliness, or burnout,” he says.
He recalls a 38-year-old client who began training after a painful divorce. “He never said the word ‘depression,’ but he’d talk about not sleeping, not eating right, feeling like a failure,” says Sandeep. “After three months, he told me, ‘This place saved me more than anyone else.’”
Fitness spaces, Sandeep explains, allow men to process difficult emotions through physical activity, without needing to name those emotions. “It’s not about avoiding feelings — it’s about finding a non-verbal way to deal with them.”
The Mechanic’s Bench: Where Small Talk Runs Deep
At a small garage in Bowenpally, Ravi Kumar works on bikes during the day, and hears more than just the hum of engines. “Guys will come in, sit around, and after a while they’ll start talking,” he says. “One told me he was scared about losing his job. Another said he couldn’t understand his teenage son.”
The setting is rugged, and the conversations are wrapped in casualness. But they carry weight.
Ravi doesn’t call it therapy, but he knows what he’s offering. “I just listen. I give them chai. And I tell them, ‘You’ll be okay.’ Sometimes, that’s what people need to hear.”
Experts Weigh In: Why These Spaces Matter
According to Dr. Anirudh Nair, a psychologist who works primarily with men between the ages of 25 and 45, these informal spaces play a crucial role in mental well-being.
“Many men grow up internalising the idea that expressing emotion is weak or unmanly. So, they seek environments where they can be vulnerable without appearing vulnerable,” he explains. “That’s why barbershops, gyms, and even chai joints work — they’re familiar, non-threatening, and socially acceptable.”
Dr. Nair believes that expanding mental health outreach means recognising and supporting these non-clinical venues. “Not every conversation has to start with ‘how are you feeling?’ Sometimes it begins with ‘bro, what a day I had.’ That’s still progress.”
What You Can Do: Supporting Men’s Mental Health in Everyday Life
You don’t have to be a therapist to support the mental health of the men in your life. Here are some simple ways to create space for openness and care:
• Make space for casual conversations – Sometimes it’s not about deep questions — just being present and available matters.
• Affirm that it’s okay to not be okay – Avoid phrases like “man up” or “you’ll be fine.” Let the struggle be acknowledged.
• Model openness – Whether you’re a friend, sibling, partner, or co-worker, sharing your challenges can help men feel safe to open up.
• Offer quiet support – Not everyone wants to talk. Showing up with a cup of chai, a gym invite, or a simple “you doing okay?” can open doors.
• Encourage professional help — without judgment – If someone seems persistently distressed, suggest therapy or a helpline as a safe next step, not as a last resort.
A Quiet Revolution in Everyday Places
The truth is, many men do want to talk — but only when they feel safe, unjudged, and in control of the conversation. Traditional therapy is still out of reach or uncomfortable for some. But these everyday interactions, though quiet and subtle, are building emotional resilience in ways that often go unnoticed.
Whether it’s a barber who remembers your dad just passed away, a trainer who texts you to check in, or a mechanic who doesn’t rush you out after your service is done, these are the moments where healing begins.
And perhaps the biggest lesson this Men’s Mental Health Month is this: support doesn’t always come in the form of a prescription or a diagnosis. Sometimes, it’s simply someone handing you a cup of tea and saying, “Talk if you want to. I’m here.”
The Next Step: Why Professional Help Still Matters
While informal spaces offer comfort and community, mental health experts stress that they shouldn’t replace professional care, especially in cases of prolonged distress, trauma, or conditions like anxiety and depression.
“Barbershops and gyms are important first stops, but not final destinations,” says Dr. Anirudh Nair. “They offer release, not resolution. Therapy helps men unpack deeper patterns, gain tools, and heal in ways casual conversation can’t.”
For men unsure where to begin, here are some simple entry points:
• Start with online platforms like iWill, MindPeers, or InnerHour that offer anonymous sessions.
• Ask a trusted friend or colleague for a referral — word-of-mouth often feels safer than cold searches.
• Look for male therapists if that feels more approachable at first.
• Use employee wellness programs (EAPs) if available at your workplace — they’re free, confidential, and underused.
• Don’t wait for a breakdown to seek help. Therapy is not a last resort — it’s a life tool.
Even a few sessions can make a lasting difference. As Dr. Nair puts it, “You don’t have to hit rock bottom to get better. You just need to decide you’re worth the effort.”
