ICS 2025: Breathe Easy-The Mental Health Revolution
HighlightsNikhil Taneja, Co-Founder & Chief of Yuvaa, emphasised that mental health encompasses daily experiences of joy and personal balance, challenging the notion that it is only relevant during crises. Taneja argued that therapy should be viewed as a strength and 'the coolest thing in the world', advocating for a shift in how society perceives emotional wellbeing. The session highlighted the importance of genuine conversations in the workplace, exemplified by Taneja's organisation's practice of sincerely asking employees 'How are you?' to foster a supportive environment.
In a refreshingly candid conversation about mental wellness,
Nikhil Taneja
, Co-Founder & Chief of
Yuvaa
, alongside session chair Devesh Gupta, Content Lead - Product & Community at ETBrandEquity.com at the
India Communication Summit 2025
shattered traditional stigmas surrounding mental health, transforming a potentially heavy topic into an enlightening and empowering dialogue.
Taneja, a passionate advocate for mental wellness, challenged conventional narratives by highlighting that mental health isn't just about crisis moments, but encompasses daily experiences of joy, happiness, and personal balance. "Mental health isn't spotted only in crises," he explained, "It's about every moment we experience."
Drawing from personal experiences, Taneja shared his own journey of recognising anxiety, emphasising how vulnerability can be a strength. He provocatively argued that therapy isn't a weakness but "the coolest thing in the world" - a perspective that could revolutionise how we perceive
emotional wellbeing
.
The session brilliantly dismantled archaic language around mental health, moving beyond terms like "disturbed" or "mental" to create a more compassionate dialogue. By encouraging meaningful check-ins and genuine conversations, the speakers demonstrated how workplace cultures can transform.
A standout moment was Taneja's revelation about his organisation's COVID-era practice of genuinely asking employees, "How are you?" - not as a perfunctory greeting, but as a sincere invitation to share your heart.
The conversation was a rallying cry for normalising mental health conversations, breaking down barriers, and creating supportive environments where individuals feel safe expressing their emotional experiences.
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