Chai & Chat: Understanding youth mental health challenges

Growing up today looks very different than it did a generation ago. Constant connectivity, social media, academic pressure and the expectations placed on young people can make it harder to find a place to switch off.

For South Asian youth, there can be another layer: cultural expectations, the pressure to succeed, the “model minority” myth and even a sense of guilt over their parents’ sacrifices. These pressures can make it difficult to talk about anxiety, depression or simply feeling overwhelmed.

So how can parents better understand the world their kids are navigating? When should we listen instead of trying to fix? And what can families do to build resilience and encourage young people to seek help before a crisis?

Join India Currents for our next Chai & Chat with Dr. Hari Nair for an honest conversation about youth mental health, cultural expectations, digital life and building stronger parent-child relationships.