Workplace, financial stress, and relationship pressures drive mental health concerns among women in Bengaluru: MPower findings

Workplace pressures, financial stress, and relationship challenges rank among the top mental health concerns among women in Bengaluru, according to findings by MPower, an initiative of Aditya Birla Education Trust’s counselling and outreach programmes.

The insights are based on interactions with 29,801 female beneficiaries reached through Mpower’s counselling centres, helplines, and community outreach initiatives across the city. 

The data shows strong engagement among young girls and adolescents, with 17,102 female beneficiaries under 18 participating in counselling sessions and mental health awareness programmes. Experts note that this underscores the increasing importance of initiating conversations around mental health early, particularly within schools and community spaces.

In the study, 6,085 women aged 15-18 reported concerns related to academic pressure, career uncertainty, relationship stress, and identity challenges.

Women aged 26–49 accounted for 5,090 beneficiaries, citing workplace stress, financial pressures, and relationship conflicts.

Meanwhile, 1,524 women aged 50 and above reported challenges related to loneliness, family transitions and emotional well-being in later life.

Mental health professionals say the data from Bengaluru reflects the pressures of a fast-paced, technology-driven urban ecosystem, where women often juggle demanding careers, financial responsibilities, and evolving relationship dynamics.

These city-level insights are part of a broader pattern across the South Zone, where Mpower programmes have reached 12,591 female beneficiaries through counselling services and helplines, in addition to large-scale mental health awareness initiatives that have engaged communities across the region.

Neerja Birla, Founder and Chairperson of the Aditya Birla Education Trust and Mpower, said: "Women’s mental health is shaped not only by individual experiences but by the systems they navigate every day across work, family and society. As a society, we must respond by building accessible, stigma-free ecosystems across homes, workplaces and communities that enable women to prioritise their wellbeing."