Trigger warning: This article discusses topics related to self-harm and suicide.

When was the last time you genuinely sat down with your father and asked him, ‘How are you, really?’ Not for the sake of being polite; but something with deep and genuine care that invites honesty!

In the morning chat sessions or while fixing something in your house, have you noticed subtle changes in him lately? Perhaps a sudden weight loss, bouts of irritability, or a constant desire to remain in bed longer than usual? These might be silent signals because sometimes, it’s not what’s said, but what’s unsaid that reveals the most

While the mental health of fathers is less often discussed, fathers across different walks of life — whether they’re low-income earners, single dads, stay-at-home dads, or young fathers — could be susceptible to anxiety and depression. Their mental health often goes unnoticed and unrecognised.

This Father’s Day, let’s try to change that narrative. It’s time to open up conversations with our fathers and remind them that it’s ‘perfectly okay not to be okay.’ Let’s create moments of connection and show them they don’t have to put on a brave face when they’re struggling inside.

We spoke with Mumbai-based psychiatrists Dr Anjali Chhabria and Dr Harish Shetty to explore the vital role children can play in reaching out to their fathers and helping them feel understood. Here are the interview excerpts.

How common do you think it is for fathers to discuss mental health issues, and is there any stigma associated with it?

In the context of Indian families, fathers often show reluctance to discuss mental health issues. Traditionally, they’ve been taught to keep these matters concealed and pretend all is well.

However, in the perception of masculinity among modern men, a very positive change we have observed is that men are acknowledging their vulnerable side. They are no longer........

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