The Mental Compass

In October 2025, OpenAI released a research report showing how people used their AI model. From the various uses stated, something came to attention and became a topic of scrutiny. It was found that more than a million people, approximately, entered prompts in ChatGPT regarding suicidal thoughts and emotional distress. This data raised a question which is integral in the digital age, regarding the expansion of AI to the realm of therapy, something that is traditionally human-administered and requires humanistic traits. While it is widely agreed that AI increases efficiency and reduces manpower, can it truly replace the role of a human, especially in such a sensitive context? Emergence of AI in Mental Health Care The rise in AI in providing psychological support and interventions came about as a result of the high costs that are associated with therapy. High costs per sitting, along with the limited availability of experienced and trained psychologists, made it very difficult for people...

There’s a special kind of loneliness that doesn’t come from being alone. It comes from being surrounded by people like friends, classmates, colleagues, even family and still feeling like your mind is living on an island of its own. This quiet, invisible distance is known as cognitive loneliness: the ache of feeling mentally unseen, misunderstood, or unaligned with the people around you. Unlike emotional loneliness, which stems from a lack of close relationships, or social loneliness, which comes from not having a community, cognitive loneliness shows up when your thoughts, inner world, opinions, or depth simply don’t find a matching wavelength. You could be laughing with others at lunch or participating in group chats, yet internally thinking, “No one here really gets how I think.” It’s the loneliness of the mind, not the heart or the body. Why Cognitive Loneliness Hits So Deep Humans crave mental companionship more than we realise. We want people who understand our humour, challenge o...

Why stepping away from the spotlight can be the healthiest decision a star ever makes.  By Gurneet Kaur Jaitly, Counselling Psychologist RPS International, Gurgaon Early fame looks like a dream come true—applause, success, recognition, and admiration at  a young age. But behind the bright lights, many public figures quietly struggle with  pressure, exhaustion, and the loss of personal space. Some don’t disappear completely; they  choose to slow down, step back, or plan an early exit.  From a mental health perspective, this is not quitting. It is self‑protection.  Fame Grows Faster Than the Mind  The brain regions responsible for emotional regulation and long‑term decision‑making  continue developing into the mid‑20s. When fame arrives early, recognition grows faster  than emotional capacity. Psychologists note that when praise becomes constant, self‑worth can shift from who I am  to how I am received. Rest then feels unsafe, and silence ...

If you’ve always been the “strong one” in your family or friend circle, you probably didn’t choose that role, it somehow chose you. Maybe you’re the one people call at 2 a.m. when life falls apart. Maybe you’re the calm voice during chaos, the problem-solver, the steady shoulder, the one who “handles things.” And for the most part, you do handle them. You show up. You stay composed. You put your own emotions on a shelf so you can take care of everyone else. But what happens when the crisis ends and the world moves on, except you? That quiet emotional aftermath is the part no one talks about. Being the strong one feels empowering at first. It gives you a sense of purpose, a sense that you’re needed and trusted. But over time, it becomes a responsibility you never get to put down. People forget you have breaking points. They forget you feel fear, confusion, and exhaustion too. You’re the rescuer, so you must be fine… right? Except you’re not always fine. Once the immediate storm settles,...

In the rapidly evolving landscape of communication, engaging in meaningful conversations with Generation Z (ages approximately 9 to 24) requires a nuanced understanding of their unique perspectives, values, and experiences. Having grown up in a digital era, Gen Z is characterized by their proficiency with technology and social media, but this has also shaped their communication preferences and interpersonal interactions. As parents, educators, and mentors, it is crucial to adapt communication styles to foster deeper, and more impactful discussions. To begin, it's essential to recognize that Gen Z values authenticity. They crave genuine interactions and are quick to detect insincerity. When engaging in conversations, it's important to approach discussions with openness and honesty. Sharing personal experiences and vulnerabilities can create a safe space for them to express their thoughts and feelings. Rather than employing a top-down approach, consider adopting a more collaborat...

Most of us can relate to this feeling. Waking up at 8 a.m. in a rush, with our alarms blaring in the background and unattended notifications on our devices, the weekend seems to have passed by way too quickly. That’s the fate of Monday, the day that feels long yet comes by too fast. The discomfort and mutual annoyance that many associate with Mondays is neither accidental nor simply a matter of attitude, but a response to the systems and expectations we enter into each week. Our internal body clocks play an important role in this weekly slump. Circadian rhythms are the body’s natural timing systems, guiding sleep, alertness, hormone release, and energy levels across the day. When these rhythms are in sync, we feel alert and focused at the right times, and our bodies can function efficiently. But weekends often throw this balance off. Late nights, sleeping in, and other shifts in routine break the consistency our bodies rely on, leaving us out of step with our natural rhythms. Returning...

Have you ever gone through something big like a breakup, a fight, a loss, even an achievement, and felt… nothing? You functioned. You showed up. You told yourself you were “fine.” And then, weeks or months later, out of nowhere, the feelings hit you like a wave you didn’t see coming. That’s delayed emotion. And no, you’re not dramatic, broken, or “too sensitive.” You’re human. We’re often taught that emotions should be immediate. Cry when it hurts. Feel happy when something good happens. Move on quickly. But real life doesn’t work like a movie scene. Sometimes, emotions arrive late, after the dust has settled, after you’ve survived, after your nervous system finally decides it’s safe enough to feel. So, what are delayed emotions? Delayed emotions are feelings that surface long after the triggering event has passed. You might feel grief months after a loss, anger long after a betrayal, or sadness after a “strong phase” where you thought you had coped well. This usually happens because, ...

A longing for childhood is often a longing for the version of ourselves that feels free to simply exist.   Adulthood brings independence and maturity, but beneath its structure lies a quiet ache many of us carry. It is the feeling of missing something we cannot fully describe, a pull toward a time when emotional life felt lighter.   People do not long for childhood because they want to be young again. They long for the feelings childhood gave them: safety, spontaneity, innocent joy, and the sense of being cared for without having to earn it. As responsibilities increase, these feelings fade, and the mind seeks emotional comfort in memory.   This longing becomes stronger when life feels heavy or uncertain. The adult world often demands stability, control, and unwavering strength. Childhood, in comparison, feels like a place where one could simply be. No pressure to perform. No expectation to have answers. The nostalgia is not for the past itself, but for the...

Introduction to the Shared Experience of Pain   Pain is often thought of as either physical or emotional, but neuroscience is showing us that this distinction is more about how we describe it than how it actually works in our brains. When we experience emotional distress like grief, anxiety, rejection, or chronic stress, it’s not just a psychological state; it’s a deeply embodied experience that activates many of the same brain regions involved in physical pain. When someone says they’re feeling “heartbroken” or that something is “painful,” these metaphors reflect real neural activity. Research in affective neuroscience shows that the brain processes emotional and physical pain through overlapping systems, suggesting that both are part of a single survival mechanism designed to signal threat, loss, or harm. Understanding this shared neural foundation helps explain why emotional distress can make physical pain feel worse, and why unresolved psychological suffering often shows u...

Stephen Hawking’s ability to maintain focus and curiosity despite his physical limitations offers a valuable lesson for everyone. Life often presents challenges that feel insurmountable, whether they are personal, social, or professional. Watching Hawking navigate obstacles shows that obstacles do not have to define a person. What matters is how the mind adapts, stays engaged, and finds ways to continue pursuing goals. His approach highlights the psychological principle that meaning and purpose are central to human motivation. People who maintain a sense of purpose often endure difficulties more effectively, and Hawking exemplifies this principle in its most extraordinary form. Critics sometimes argue that focusing on Hawking’s personal struggle can overshadow the scientific merit of his work. They suggest that admiration for his resilience may make people forget that his ideas and contributions were groundbreaking even without his disability. However, his life story and his science ar...

In a world where more women are working than ever before, workplace wellness programs still fall short of meeting their specific needs. We hear about wellness in terms of productivity, retention, and job satisfaction, but for many women, it's not about office yoga or wellness apps. It’s about feeling safe, valued, and supported in a system that acknowledges their unique experiences, something far more profound than standard wellness initiatives offer. The corporate wellness model, for decades, has been one-size-fits-all, rarely addressing the nuances of women’s lives. Women’s professional journeys are deeply intertwined with reproductive health, mental health disparities, and the relentless balancing act of caregiving. Yet traditional wellness programs tend to gloss over these realities. Imagine being in a high-stakes meeting while coping with period pain, or managing menopause symptoms in an unsympathetic work environment. Too often, women endure these experiences silently, fearin...

Colours carry meaning long before we consciously think about it. Think about some basic colour associations. Yellow is often linked with happiness and warmth, red with passion and love, blue with calm and trust and green with nature. These associations are so present in our day-to-day lives, to the extent that it impacts the way we think, feel and even act. Over time, colour influences far more than just what we see. It affects the clothes we choose, the confidence we carry, and the way we respond to the spaces and people around us. A bold colour can energise a room with its vibrance, while muted tones can create comfort and ease. This is why colour trends are rarely random. The colours that gain popularity tend to reflect shared emotions, social moods, and collective desires, making colour an intentional tool rather than a simple aesthetic choice. Culture is an important aspect when it comes to interpreting the impact of colours. While shades like white are often associated with purit...

Birds move through the world in ways humans often overlook. They migrate across countries without passports, sing songs that travel across forests and cities, and form connections within their flocks that seem effortless. Observing birds can offer more than just beauty; it can reveal lessons about human connection, community, and emotional well-being. Their behavior reflects patterns, communication, and freedom that are surprisingly relevant to daily life, mental awareness, and how people relate to each other. One of the most striking things about birds is how they navigate long distances together. Migratory birds travel thousands of miles, often crossing mountains, seas, and deserts. They rely on teamwork, instinct, and trust in each other. Humans rarely think about this when watching a flock, but the behavior holds a lesson. Connections, communication, and coordination are essential for survival and success.  In human terms, relationships, collaboration, and support systems help ...

On 15 August 1947, India’s flag fluttered free for the first time after nearly 200 years of colonial rule. The streets overflowed with joy, chants of freedom, and tears of relief. But that moment, beautiful as it was,  was just the opening chapter of a far more intricate story. Independence gave us freedom from the British Raj; Republic Day marks the day we committed to freedom within ourselves, under a Constitution that placed sovereignty in the hands of the people. January 26 was not an arbitrary date. Long before independence, in 1930, at the Lahore Session, the Indian National Congress declared Purna Swaraj, A complete self-rule, breaking from the idea of limited Dominion status under the British. That day became a psychological landmark in the freedom movement, symbolising not just political resistance but an emotional commitment to self-governance. Fast forward to 26 November 1949, after 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days of concentrated debate, the Constituent Assembly adopted ...

“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” Picture spilling a handful of cookie crumbs across a table. You do not see each crumb separately. Instead, your brain instantly groups them into one irregular patch. This simple act of perceptual organization illustrates the Gestalt principle of proximity. These moments are no accidents; they happen all the time. When your eye follows a friend across a busy café or when you glance at a partially stacked bookshelf and immediately recognize the patterns, Gestalt psychology is the field that explains why the mind naturally organizes fragments into meaningful wholes. These invisible processes influence more than just our perception. They shape design, marketing, social interactions, and the way we approach complex problems. Gestalt psychology emerged in Germany in the early twentieth century as a response to the idea that perception is built from individual sensations. Psychologists such as Max Wertheimer, Wolfgang Köhler, and Kurt Koffka a...