Technology’s role in mental wellbeing of children in India Hindustan Times | October 10, 2025In India, conversations around mental health are gradually moving from the margins into the mainstream. Challenges such as anxiety, depression, exam-related stress, bullying, digital addiction, and trauma are no longer limited to urban areas — they affect children across both rural and urban communities alike. Childhood, a crucial stage for emotional, cognitive, and social development, is increasingly under pressure due to academic expectations, social influences, and changing lifestyles.Studies and estimates indicate that India faces a significant mental health treatment gap, especially among children and adolescents. For children living in rural and underserved regions, access to professional mental health support remains limited, making the situation even more concerning. Many young people continue to struggle silently because of stigma, lack of awareness, and inadequate healthcare resources.Amid these growing challenges, technology has emerged as a powerful solution for improving access to mental healthcare. Tele-counselling services, online therapy platforms, mental wellness apps, and government initiatives such as Tele MANAS (Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States) are helping bridge the gap between children and professional support systems. These digital services are bringing mental healthcare closer to those who need it most, especially in remote and underserved areas.By combining awareness, emotional support, education, and accessible technology, India is taking important steps toward building a more supportive mental health ecosystem for children and adolescents.With increasing internet penetration and widespread mobile phone usage, families no longer need to travel long distances to access mental health consultations in urban healthcare centers. Online therapy and tele-counselling services now allow children to receive support from the comfort and safety of their homes, creating a more relaxed and familiar environment. Parents can also schedule sessions around school timings, helping reduce absenteeism, travel stress, and disruptions to daily routines.The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated this transformation in mental healthcare delivery. School closures, isolation, and limited access to in-person services pushed many families toward digital mental health platforms. Over time, the convenience of connecting with therapists through video calls — without long commutes or extended waiting periods — has made online therapy a preferred option for many households.From private wellness platforms to government initiatives such as Tele MANAS, India is witnessing a steady digital transformation in child and adolescent mental healthcare. Digital mental health services are no longer seen merely as temporary alternatives; they are becoming long-term solutions that complement traditional healthcare systems and improve access to emotional and psychological support across the country.One of the greatest advantages of online therapy is its ability to provide personalized care for children and adolescents. Virtual mental health platforms allow therapists to create therapy plans tailored to a child’s unique strengths, challenges, personality, and interests. This individualized approach helps children feel more comfortable, engaged, and supported throughout their mental health journey.Some key benefits of personalized online therapy include:Integrated assessment tools help therapists evaluate a child’s cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and social development more effectively.Creative therapeutic methods such as storytelling, art activities, interactive games, and gamified exercises make therapy sessions more engaging for children.Flexible therapy plans can evolve according to the child’s changing emotional and developmental needs, replacing the outdated “one-size-fits-all” approach.Mental health issues have long carried social stigma in India, causing many families to ignore or minimize children’s emotional struggles. However, awareness about the importance of early mental health intervention is gradually increasing. Parents are beginning to recognize the need for professional support for conditions such as anxiety, ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, emotional regulation difficulties, and stress-related challenges.Online mental health platforms now offer therapies specifically designed for children, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which helps identify and manage negative thought patterns and behaviors. Mindfulness exercises, relaxation techniques, and emotional regulation strategies are also being used to help children manage stress and improve emotional well-being.The privacy, convenience, and comfort of home-based online sessions reduce the stigma often associated with visiting mental health clinics. As a result, more families are becoming open to seeking professional mental healthcare for children at an earlier stage, leading to better emotional development and long-term well-being.Tele-counselling is helping bridge the gap between children in remote areas and qualified mental health specialists located in urban centers. Through digital platforms, children and families in villages and underserved communities can now access professional counselling and psychological support more easily. The inclusive nature of tele-counselling makes mental healthcare more accessible, flexible, and culturally relevant.Key features of inclusive tele-counselling include:Sessions conducted in local and regional languages, improving comfort, understanding, and cultural connection.Multiple communication options such as video calls, audio sessions, and chat-based counselling, allowing families to choose the format most convenient for them.Special support services for children with learning disabilities, developmental conditions, and special educational needs.Government initiatives such as Tele MANAS have played a major role in expanding mental healthcare access across India. The platform provides 24/7 mental health support in multiple Indian languages and offers counselling, psychiatric consultations, referrals, and guidance for parents and caregivers of children facing developmental or emotional challenges.Despite these positive developments, several challenges still remain:Uneven internet access continues to affect rural communities, and many girls still face barriers to digital access.Limited digital literacy among parents and caregivers can make it difficult to use online counselling platforms effectively.Quality assurance remains important, as not all online counsellors may have proper training, certification, or professional monitoring.Privacy and data protection are critical concerns because children’s mental health information is highly sensitive and requires strong legal and technological safeguards.India has enormous potential to expand tele-counselling and digital mental healthcare further. By improving internet accessibility, increasing digital awareness, strengthening professional standards, and ensuring privacy protection, the country can create a more inclusive and supportive mental health ecosystem for children and adolescents.Telepresence technology can be used to provide regular mental health support in schools, particularly in rural and underserved regions where professional counsellors may not be easily available.Emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Virtual Reality (VR) have the potential to create safe, interactive, engaging, and personalized therapeutic experiences for children and adolescents.Collaborative initiatives, such as partnerships between organizations and mental health institutions, combine community-level interventions with digital platforms to build holistic and accessible support systems.Every child in India deserves access to quality mental healthcare as a basic right rather than a privilege. Tele-counselling and online therapy are helping move the country closer to this goal by reducing geographical barriers, lowering stigma, and making professional support more accessible and convenient for families.For children, these services provide early intervention, personalized emotional support, and improved mental well-being. For parents, they offer flexibility, reassurance, and greater involvement in their child’s emotional and psychological development. At a national level, digital mental healthcare represents an important step toward reducing the mental health treatment gap and creating a more equitable and inclusive healthcare system for future generations.The future challenge of digital mental healthcare in India lies in ensuring inclusivity, quality, accountability, and ethical implementation. Strengthening partnerships between governments, private healthcare providers, schools, community organizations, and civil society will be essential in building a sustainable and accessible mental health ecosystem for children and adolescents.Digital mental health services should complement existing support systems such as schools, families, community workers, and traditional healthcare services rather than replace them. When implemented thoughtfully and responsibly, tele-counselling and online therapy can significantly improve emotional well-being, social development, and access to early mental health intervention for children across the country.An inclusive and ethically designed digital mental healthcare system has the potential to transform the future of India’s children by helping them thrive emotionally, socially, and academically. By combining technology with human-centered care, India can move toward a more supportive, equitable, and mentally healthy society for future generations.