Swaroopa Ghosh On Men’s Mental Health: ‘We Must Encourage Expression Without Fear or Shame’

Veteran actor and theatre artist Swaroopa Ghosh, known for her impactful work in films like Love Hostel, Trial Period, LSD 2, War, Scoop, and Tooth Pari, will soon be seen in Sony TV’s upcoming show Ami Dakini. With a career marked by layered performances and socially conscious storytelling, Swaroopa has consistently used her voice to spotlight issues often left unspoken. This June, as the world marks Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, she turns her attention to an issue that remains largely invisible: the emotional and psychological struggles men face.

“Men in general find it difficult to express their emotions. To expect them to talk about mental health issues is even more difficult,” she reflects. “There’s a fear of being labelled as weak or mad—and just a few years ago, mental illness itself was often equated with madness.”

She recalls how this stigma not only affected those suffering but also undermined mental health professionals. “Even psychologists or doctors weren’t taken seriously—largely due to ignorance and fear. Fear of being isolated or judged kept most men from opening up, even among friends.”

Swaroopa points out how, over time, women have carved out emotional ecosystems—safe spaces where they can confide, share, and support each other. Men, meanwhile, tend to keep their conversations surface-level, often steering clear of anything that could be perceived as emotional vulnerability. The outcome, she says, is troubling: “This internalised pressure builds up, and it either implodes into breakdowns or explodes as aggression.”

She also touches on the deep-rooted conditioning within families. “Men are expected to be providers and protectors—but no one talks about the emotional cost of playing that role. This denial—whether out of ignorance or cultural norms—leaves men emotionally stranded.”

For real change to take root, Swaroopa believes we must begin with children. “Mental health education needs to be part of our school curriculum. That way, expressing emotions becomes a norm, not a taboo. It empowers children to cope, share, and seek help without guilt or fear.”

She is especially firm about breaking the myth that mental illness is a life sentence. “The idea that therapy is only for the ‘mad’ or ‘broken’ has to go. We must create a culture where it’s okay for men to talk, to cry, to reach out—and know that they won’t be judged for it.”

With decades of experience across stage and screen, Swaroopa Ghosh’s voice is grounded in empathy and conviction. Her call is simple yet profound: Men deserve the space to feel, to speak, and to heal—without fear, without stigma, and certainly without shame.