A lot of us have experienced that nagging inner voice that whispers, “Whatever you do , you will never be good enough,” or “You always mess things up,”This voice, often called the inner critic, can be persistent. While a certain level of self-evaluation helps us learn and grow, harsh and constant negative self-talk can become destructive, impacting self-esteem, productivity, and …
The Double-Edged Sword of Workplace Therapy: Why Employees Fear Company- Provided Therapy Services
In recent years, organizations all across the globe have adopted mental health initiatives as part of their commitment to employee well-being. Meditation apps, counselling hotlines, and therapy services are increasingly offered under employee assistance programs (EAPs). At first glance, this appears progressive, acknowledging mental health as an integral part of workplace sustainability. Yet many employees remain hesitant, even fearful, of …
Play, Language and Literacy: Developmental Pathways in Early Childhood
Early childhood is a foundational stage for social, cognitive, and linguistic development. At the heart of this intricate web of growth lies play an activity that is often underestimated in its power to shape a child’s understanding of language, literacy, and the social world. The intersection of play, language and literacy reveals key developmental pathways through which young children learn …
The Bystander Effect in Schools: Addressing Academic Disengagement and Bullying
The first name that comes to mind when we hear the term Bystander Effect is that of Kitty Genovese, a young American woman full of life and zest. Katherine Genovese, a resident of Queens, New York, worked as a bartender at a local pub. One tragic night, she was raped and stabbed to death in her own neighbourhood, just outside …
The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy in Learning: How Teachers’ Expectations Can Shape Student Success
In India, teachers have long been revered as guides and mentors, “guru” essentially symbolising the path from (gu) darkness to (ru) illumination. Despite the modern education system’s routine and structure, it is still rooted in the sacred guru-shishya Parampara – a tradition that treats its teachers not merely as instructors but as a sculptor of character. Their influence extends far …
Mental Health Literacy in Schools: Equipping Educators to Foster Well-being
As per the Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) 2023–24 data by the Ministry of Education, India’s school education system serves about 24.8 crore students across approximately 14.72 lakh schools. This amounts to nearly 18% of India’s total population—a significant proportion that calls for sustained investment. If India envisions achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047, then …
Addressing Academic Anxiety: Clinical Interventions for Learning-Related Stress
Anxiety is a common psychological condition characterised by excessive worry and apprehension that may be related to one or more situations/events. As per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5 TR), Anxiety Disorders include Separation Anxiety Disorder, Selective Mutism, Specific Phobia, Social Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. The DSM-5-TR also …
Beyond the blues: Differentiating seasonal shifts from clinical depression
Seasonal shifts also known as seasonal affective disorder is a mental health disorder usually occurs during shifts in the season particularly during the winters. It is a form of depression but far different from clinical depression. Though symptoms of seasonal affective disorder are quite similar to those of clinical depression such as fatigue or low energy, Anhedonia, sad mood, a …
Monsoon and Mood Disorders: The Role of Serotonin and Melatonin Dysregulation
Rita always loved the rains—until last year. As June arrived, the city turned lush green, the skies greyed, and puddles formed little mirrors on the streets. But something inside Rita dimmed. She started waking up tired, stopped replying to messages, cried without a reason, and couldn’t find joy in her favorite things. “It’s just the weather,” her family shrugged. But …
The ‘Culture Dividend’: Leveraging Cultural Festivals for Organizational Engagement
In an era where employee engagement is the holy grail for thriving organizations, many companies are still searching for innovative ways to connect with their workforce beyond annual reviews and team-building retreats. What if the answer lay not in a new software solution or a complex HR policy, but in something as ancient and universal as celebration? Enter the “culture …










