25–39 years
Early and middle adulthood
Work, marriage, children and caring for others often arrive in the same years. Many women carry most of this load quietly. You do not need to be in crisis for your own wellbeing to matter.
Written for: Individuals. All age pathways
What someone might experience
These are common, not certain. Many people go through some of them and are fine.
- Depression and anxiety
- Burnout and work-related stress
- Relationship and marital distress
- Intimate partner violence
- Mental health concerns during pregnancy and after birth
- Distress related to infertility
- Parenting stress
- Substance-use disorders
- Effects of trauma
- Sleep disorders
Signs you might notice
A card to keep or share. These are signs to notice and talk about, not a diagnosis. Early and middle adulthood, 25–39 years.
- Exhaustion
- Irritability
- Constant worry
- Struggling to manage work or home
- Fear of a partner, or feeling controlled
- Panic
- Sleep problems
- Feeling emotionally numb
- Distress during pregnancy or after childbirth
If several of these are present, or they are getting worse, speak to a doctor, counsellor or one of the services below. If someone may be in danger, call 112.
What shapes this in India
Not everything is about the person. Their surroundings matter a great deal.
- Job insecurity and long working hours
- Informal and gig work
- Migration
- Debt and the cost of housing
- Unpaid care work
- Pressure to marry or have children
- Domestic violence
- Unequal division of work at home
- Stigma around fertility
- Little childcare or mental health support at work
What can help
- Workplace mental health support and employee assistance programmes
- Confidential counselling
- Support that understands domestic violence, including safety planning
- Screening and referral during and after pregnancy
- Parenting support
- Flexible work and childcare
- Treatment for substance use where needed
Important to know
If abuse may be happening, ask about safety only in private, where the person cannot be overheard. Depression and anxiety can happen during pregnancy as well as after birth. Both deserve timely care.
SAATHI cannot diagnose. Faith, prayer and traditional healers are part of many families' lives, and can sit alongside care. If something is affecting daily life, please also see a doctor or counsellor.
If you're a parent, teacher or family member
- Offer practical help, like an hour of childcare or a cooked meal, rather than only advice.
- If you suspect abuse, talk when she is alone, believe her, and let her decide the next step unless there is immediate danger.
- After a birth, ask the mother how she is, not only how the baby is.
- Share the load at home openly, so rest is not something she has to earn.
Who to ask near you
You do not have to work this out alone. These are real services in India. Availability varies by district, so a call or a visit is the best way to check.
- Your nearest PHC or CHC, or the district hospital. Ask for the doctor, and for the mental health clinic if there is one.
- The District Mental Health Programme (DMHP), which runs mental health clinics at district level and sometimes in outreach camps.
- For violence at home or at work: the One Stop Centre (Sakhi) in your district, and Women Helpline 181. A Protection Officer under the Domestic Violence Act can help you apply for protection and a safe place.
- Tele-MANAS on 14416, free, if you cannot travel or need to talk first.
- Your ASHA or anganwadi worker, and women's groups such as the self-help group (SHG) in your area, for company and a first conversation.
Helplines, free in India
- 112Emergency Response Support System Police, fire and ambulance. Call if someone is in immediate danger.
- 14416Tele-MANAS Free national mental health support, 24 hours, in many Indian languages. Also 1-800-891-4416.
- 181Women Helpline Support and referral for women facing violence, 24 hours.
- 1098Childline For children in need of care and protection, or adults worried about a child.
- 14567Elderline National helpline for senior citizens.