India’s education system has never evolved in isolation. It has always reflected the social, economic and cultural priorities of its time. But today, mental health has emerged as one of the most defining
forces shaping how students experience learning.
“The learning systems in India have never followed a linear trajectory. They have always evolved in response to social expectations,” says Nuwaira Pasha, Director, The One School.
She explains that in the 1980s, education was built around predictability and administrative consistency, leaving little room for individuality. “There was hardly any scope for imagination. Learning was structured, rigid and largely uniform,” she says.
By the 1990s, economic liberalisation and technological change began to reshape priorities. “Learning became closely linked to economic survival and opportunity,” notes Pasha.
In the decades that followed, education increasingly reflected class mobility and cultural awareness. But it was the COVID-19 pandemic that triggered the most significant shift.
“After the pandemic, we began speaking more openly about mental health, emotional wellbeing and self-development. Today, mental health is one of the strongest forces transforming the learning landscape in India,” she says.
The current mental health reality among learners
While conversations around student wellbeing have increased, Pasha believes many responses remain superficial.
“It isn’t uncommon to hear quick fixes like increasing playtime or reducing social media use,” she says. “While these are partially helpful, they often deflect attention from deeper systemic issues that are affecting learners.”
She emphasises that mental health challenges are no longer isolated cases.
“Children struggling with mental health are not exceptions. Research shows these challenges cut across socio-economic backgrounds and are widespread,” explains Pasha.
At the same time, institutional responses have not kept pace.
“Educational systems are slow to acknowledge these realities and even slower to implement meaningful change,” she adds.
8 key factors affecting learners’ mental health today
Pasha identifies eight major factors contributing to rising mental health challenges among students.
1. Academic competitiveness
“The education system continues to measure competence largely through numbers,” Ms Pasha says.
While grades provide structure, she notes they can also narrow how students see themselves.
“This creates a culture where learners equate their self-worth with percentages, rather than recognising diverse abilities.”
2. Social media pressure
Competition today extends beyond classrooms.
“Students are constantly comparing themselves in digital spaces, where achievements, popularity and visibility are publicly measured,” she says.
The psychological cost can be significant.
“The fear of exclusion or invisibility can be deeply distressing.”
3. Financial stress
Economic realities also shape student wellbeing.
“Learners are deeply influenced by the financial stability of their households,” Ms Pasha explains. “Limited resources or uncertainty can create anxiety about their future and their education.”
4. Unrealistic expectations
Parental and societal expectations, while often well-intentioned, can sometimes be overwhelming.
“When expectations exceed a child’s individual capacity, it can create lasting feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt,” she says.
5. Technology and information overload
Technology has transformed access to knowledge but it has also created new challenges.
“The sheer volume of information and constant screen exposure is affecting attention span, emotional regulation and cognitive processing,” says Pasha.
6. Limited emotional literacy
One of the most overlooked gaps, she believes, is emotional education.
“Many learners are never taught how to understand or express their emotions in healthy ways,” she explains.
This can lead to isolation.
“This lack of emotional literacy contributes to anxiety, loneliness and internal conflict.”
7. Gender expectations
Social norms continue to influence how students see themselves.
“In a world that is becoming more fluid and inclusive, rigid gender expectations can create immense psychological stress,” says Pasha.
8. Lack of consistent support systems
Despite growing awareness, professional mental health support remains limited.
“Many institutions still lack trained counsellors or structured wellbeing systems,” she says. “Most responses remain reactive rather than preventative.”
Why schools must rethink their role
For Pasha, recognising the problem is the first step. “There is no solution without acknowledgement,” she says. “Mental health must become a central part of how we design learning environments.”
She believes schools must expand their definition of education.
“Learning cannot be measured only through marks or social approval. It must include emotional growth, curiosity and personal expression.”
The way forward
India’s future depends on the wellbeing of its learners. “Schools that recognise mental health as fundamental, and actively create environments that protect individuality and emotional wellbeing, are no longer optional. They are essential,” adds Pasha.
She concludes with a clear message, “If we want resilient, creative and confident learners, mental health cannot remain a side conversation. It must become central to education itself.”
