Mental Health Influencers India: Mental health awareness in India has evolved dramatically over the last decade. Once considered a taboo topic, conversations around therapy, anxiety, depression, emotional intelligence, and self-care are now mainstream — largely thanks to mental health influencers in India.

Social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn have enabled psychologists, therapists, creators, and public figures to educate millions about mental well-being. These influencers are not just content creators; they are educators, advocates, and stigma-breakers.

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital mental health conversations, pushing therapists and wellness advocates online to provide accessible support and awareness at scale.

India is currently experiencing a significant cultural transformation in how mental health is perceived. Earlier generations often associated therapy with severe psychological illness, which discouraged open conversations. However, younger audiences — particularly Millennials and Gen Z — are redefining emotional well-being as an essential part of daily life rather than a crisis response.

Mental health influencers in India play a critical role in this shift by presenting emotional struggles as normal human experiences. Through storytelling, reels, podcasts, and live discussions, they help audiences understand concepts like burnout, anxiety, boundaries, and self-worth in culturally relatable ways. This gradual normalization is helping families, workplaces, and educational institutions become more accepting of mental health conversations.

Today, Indian audiences actively follow mental health experts for:

• Therapy education
• Emotional validation
• Relationship advice
• Stress management
• Self-growth guidance
• Mindfulness practices

In this guide by Soocel, we explore the top mental health influencers India audiences trust in 2026.

Top Mental Health Influencers India (2026) – Quick Overview

Rank	Influencer Name	Platform Focus	Expertise Area	Content Style	Why They Are Popular
1	Divija Bhasin (@awkwardgoat3)	Instagram, Workshops	Therapy & Emotional Awareness	Relatable + Humorous	Makes psychology easy for Gen Z audiences
2	Dr. Meghna Singhal	Instagram, Parenting Content	Family & Parenting Psychology	Educational	Combines parenting with mental wellness
3	Sonali Gupta	Instagram, LinkedIn	Anxiety & Emotional Health	Professional Guidance	Strong therapy awareness advocacy
4	Rhea Gandhi	Instagram	Trauma & Inclusive Therapy	Thought-provoking	Focus on culturally relevant psychotherapy
5	Jay Shetty	YouTube, Instagram, Podcast	Mindfulness & Personal Growth	Storytelling	Global influence with Indian roots
6	Gaur Gopal Das	YouTube, Instagram	Spiritual Mental Wellness	Motivational	Blends spirituality with psychology
7	Yuvaa (@weareyuvaa)	Instagram Community	Youth Mental Health	Community Driven	Safe space for young Indians
8	The Thought Co	Instagram	Inclusive Therapy	Educational	Collective mental health advocacy
9	Deepika Padukone	Social Media, Foundation	Depression Awareness	Personal Storytelling	Broke stigma through openness
10	Ricky Kej & Wellness Creators	Social + Public Talks	Emotional Well-Being	Creative Expression	Promotes healing through art & music

Why Mental Health Influencers Matter in India

India faces unique mental health challenges:

• Social stigma around therapy
• Lack of accessible professionals
• Cultural pressure and expectations
• Rising stress among youth and professionals

Mental health influencers bridge this gap by making psychological knowledge relatable and easy to understand.

They help by:

• Normalizing therapy
• Educating audiences with science-backed content
• Providing emotional support through storytelling
• Creating safe online communities

Influencers now play a major role in shaping mental wellness conversations across India’s digital ecosystem.

Top Mental Health Influencers India (2026)

Below are some of the most impactful voices promoting mental wellness across India.

1. Divija Bhasin – The Friendly Therapist

Instagram: @awkwardgoat3

Followers: 542k

One of India’s most recognizable mental health creators, Divija Bhasin is a counselling psychologist who gained popularity through relatable and humorous educational content.

She founded The Friendly Couch, a mental health organization offering therapy services and awareness initiatives.

Why She Stands Out

• Breaks therapy myths using humor
• Makes psychology accessible to Gen Z
• Focuses on emotional boundaries and self-awareness

Her content successfully reduces stigma by presenting mental health topics in a friendly and conversational style.

2. Dr. Meghna Singhal

Instagram: @thetherapistmommy

Followers: 122k

Dr. Meghna Singhal is widely known for combining parenting advice with mental wellness education.

Content Focus

• Parenting psychology
• Relationship counseling
• Emotional intelligence for families
• Self-care for parents

She helps families understand how mental health affects relationships and child development.

3. Sonali Gupta — Mental Health Educator

Instagram: @the_sonaliguptaverma

Followers: 170k

Sonali Gupta is a psychologist and author who creates educational content centered around emotional resilience and therapy awareness.

Key Contributions

• Workplace mental health education
• Anxiety awareness
• Therapy normalization

Her approach blends professional expertise with practical life guidance.

4. Rhea Gandhi — Decolonize Psychotherapy

Instagram: @rgpsychotherapy

Followers: 26.1k

Mumbai-based therapist Rhea Gandhi focuses on culturally inclusive mental health discussions.

Her platform emphasizes:

• Trauma awareness
• Social justice and mental health
• Cultural context in therapy

She advocates adapting psychotherapy models to Indian realities rather than blindly following Western frameworks.

5. Jay Shetty — Global Indian Mental Wellness Influencer

Instagram: @jayshetty

Followers: 18.3M

Although globally recognized, Jay Shetty remains one of the most influential Indian voices in mental wellness.

He promotes:

• Mindfulness
• Emotional intelligence
• Purpose-driven living

His storytelling style encourages audiences to adopt healthier mental habits and positive thinking patterns.

6. Gaur Gopal Das — Spiritual Mental Wellness Advocate

Instagram: @gaurgopaldas

Followers: 9.6M

A monk-turned-motivational speaker, Gaur Gopal Das connects spirituality with mental well-being.

Popular Topics

• Stress management
• Happiness psychology
• Life philosophy
• Emotional balance

His teachings resonate strongly with Indian audiences seeking spiritual approaches to mental health.

7. Yuvaa – Youth Mental Health Platform

Instagram: @weareyuvaa

Followers: 800k

Yuvaa is a community-driven platform creating safe digital spaces for young Indians.

They discuss:

• Body image
• Gender identity
• Bullying
• Student mental health

Their peer-focused approach makes mental health discussions accessible to college audiences.

8. The Thought Co – Inclusive Therapy Collective

Instagram: @thethoughtco

Followers: 17.4k

The Thought Co is a group of mental health professionals building an inclusive online mental health community.

Their mission includes:

• Breaking stereotypes
• Promoting therapy accessibility
• Creating safe online conversations

They represent the collaborative future of mental health advocacy.

9. Deepika Padukone — Celebrity Mental Health Advocate

Instagram: @deepikapadukone

Followers: 80.6M

Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone significantly influenced mental health awareness in India after publicly sharing her struggle with depression.

She founded the Live Love Laugh Foundation and was later appointed India’s first Mental Health Ambassador by the Ministry of Health.

Her openness encouraged millions to seek help and talk openly about mental illness.

10. Ricky Kej & Wellness Creators Promoting Mental Well-Being

Instagram: @rickykej

Followers: 1M

Several creators across music, writing, and lifestyle niches also promote mental wellness conversations online. Influencers like Ricky Kej and wellness storytellers contribute to emotional awareness through creative mediums.

Types of Mental Health Influencers in India

Mental wellness creators fall into different categories:

1. Licensed Psychologists

Provide science-based therapy education.

Examples:

• Divija Bhasin
• Sonali Gupta

2. Wellness Coaches & Motivators

Focus on mindset and personal growth.

Examples:

• Jay Shetty
• Gaur Gopal Das

3. Community Platforms

Create safe spaces for discussions.

Examples:

• Yuvaa
• The Thought Co

4. Celebrity Advocates

Increase awareness through public influence.

Example:

• Deepika Padukone

How Mental Health Influencers Are Changing India

1. Reducing Stigma

Historically, mental illness discussions were avoided in Indian households. Influencers now normalize therapy conversations daily.

2. Digital Therapy Awareness

Millions now understand:

• Anxiety symptoms
• Emotional burnout
• Boundaries in relationships

3. Youth Education

Young Indians increasingly learn emotional intelligence through Instagram reels and short videos.

4. Accessibility

Social media makes mental health education free and widely available.

The Role of Social Media in Mental Wellness Growth

Social media transformed mental health education by offering:

• Short-form learning
• Relatable storytelling
• Community interaction
• Anonymous emotional support

Research shows many individuals express psychological distress online and seek support through digital communities.

Why Brands Collaborate With Mental Health Influencers

Mental health influencers are becoming valuable partners for brands because:

• High audience trust
• Authentic engagement
• Social impact positioning
• Strong community loyalty

Industries working with mental wellness creators include:

• Healthcare startups
• Therapy apps
• Wellness brands
• Educational platforms
• Corporate HR programs

How Businesses Can Work With Mental Health Influencers (Soocel Insight)

At Soocel, influencer marketing strategies increasingly include mental wellness creators due to their credibility and meaningful audience relationships.

Best Collaboration Strategies

1. Educational campaigns instead of promotions
2. Awareness-driven storytelling
3. Expert-led webinars
4. Mental wellness initiatives for employees
5. Purpose-driven brand messaging

Authenticity is essential — audiences quickly reject commercialized messaging in mental health niches.

Future of Mental Health Influencers in India

The next phase of mental wellness influence in India will include:

• AI-driven therapy tools
• Regional language mental health content
• Corporate mental wellness programs
• Community-based online therapy
• Micro-influencer psychologists

India’s young digital population ensures mental health creators will continue shaping conversations for years to come.

How to Choose the Right Mental Health Influencer

When selecting influencers for collaboration or learning:

✔ Verify professional credentials
✔ Check content authenticity
✔ Evaluate audience engagement
✔ Avoid misinformation creators
✔ Prioritize evidence-based content

Conclusion

Mental health influencers in India are redefining how society understands emotional well-being. From psychologists simplifying therapy concepts to celebrities breaking stigma, these creators are building a healthier digital culture.

As awareness continues to grow, mental health conversations are becoming normalized, accessible, and inclusive — proving that social media can be a powerful force for positive change.

For brands and organizations, partnering with credible mental health influencers represents not just a marketing opportunity but a chance to contribute to meaningful social impact.

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