October Health – 2025 Report

Male Demographic in India

Financial stress related to unemployment/underemployment and income insecurity is widely reported as the leading cause of stress among men in India at the population level. Work-related pressures and societal expectations to be a provider also contribute. If you’re looking for support, workplace-focused options like October’s digital group sessions can help with stress management and financial wellbeing.

How mental health affects the Male demographic differently

  • Financial and breadwinner pressure: expectations to provide and maintain income (often reinforced in Indian households), with job insecurity or downturns increasing anxiety, sleep problems, and burnout, which can spill into work performance.

  • Masculinity norms and reluctance to seek help: cultural expectations to appear "strong" or not show vulnerability lead to emotional suppression, delays in seeking support, and higher risk of escalating anxiety/depression or crisis.

  • Occupational hazards and long hours: physical risks in certain male-dominated jobs (construction, manufacturing), plus long or irregular hours, which disrupt sleep, increase fatigue, and contribute to chronic pain and mood issues.

  • Coping with stress through substances: using alcohol, tobacco, or other substances as quick coping mechanisms can worsen mood, sleep, and productivity and may lead to dependency.

  • Social isolation and limited support networks: norms around stoicism can reduce opportunities to share stress with peers, resulting in weaker social support and lower resilience to workplace pressures.

Data from October Health

What's driving mental health stresses for the Male demographic in South African?

Proactive mental fitness for high performance staff.

Understand the stresses and workplace challenges of your staff and provide them with the tools to protect their productivity and mental health.