--- title: Social Stigma- Why So Many Women Feel Alone When They Need Help description: Dr Susmita Halder champions practical mental health support for women in India, blending clinical expertise with culturally aware, human-centred care author: Dr Marina Nani (Editor-in-Chief) date: 2025-09-17T09:22:29.000Z updated: 2026-03-31T11:23:44.136Z canonical: https://richwoman.co/article/social-stigma-why-so-many-women-feel-alone-when-they-need-help image: https://cdn.nanimediahouse.com/u7wid7mavcs.jpg categories: Wellbeing content_type: Spotlight region: India publication: Rich Woman Magazine about: - type: Person name: Dr Susmita Halder --- When Dr Susmita Halder sits across from someone who’s struggling, she doesn’t offer them a mindfulness app or suggest they try journaling for five minutes each morning. After more than two decades working in clinical psychology, she knows that real mental health support requires something far more substantial than the wellness trends flooding our feeds. The professor at St Xavier’s University, Kolkata, who recently joined My Safe Spaces as Strategic Advisor, has spent years listening to the actual problems faced by women and families across India. Her approach feels refreshingly honest in a world where mental health advice often sounds like it was written for someone who already has their life sorted. Mental health access in India reveals a worrying reality. With only [0.75 psychiatrists and 898 clinical psychologists per 100,000 people](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7616029/), the country faces an acute shortage that leaves over 200 million people in need without adequate support. For women specifically, the barriers run even deeper. A recent study from rural Maharashtra highlighted what many women already know: finding trustworthy mental health support feels nearly impossible when [social stigma, patriarchal norms and lack of vocabulary](https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/global-mental-health/article/mental-health-resources-barriers-and-intervention-needs-among-women-in-rural-maharashtra-india-a-qualitative-study/CEB2A49282B60CF6C7E98549E00DF817) to express struggles create multiple roadblocks. Add economic constraints and services that often feel insensitive or judgmental, and it’s no wonder so many women give up before they even start. The reality is that wellness advice often feels unrealistic or one-size-fits-all when you’re dealing with actual problems – not just needing to optimise your morning routine. Many women find themselves [chasing wellness solutions that don’t address their real needs](https://richwoman.co/article/what-happens-when-you-stop-chasing-wellness-and-start-listening-shilpi-das-on-the-healing-pow). Dr Halder brings the kind of experience that can’t be replaced by algorithms. As Secretary of the Asian Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Association and former Head of Clinical Psychology at the Institute of Psychiatry, Kolkata, she’s worked hands-on with leading institutions including Fortis Hospital and Medica Super Specialty Hospital. Her background includes extensive research – she’s authored multiple books and published over 130 research papers – but it’s clear her focus remains on practical application. Her expertise spans cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive training, ageing and suicide prevention – areas that touch on the real challenges women face throughout their lives, not just during crisis moments. For mothers dealing with complex family situations, [having professionals who understand the specific pressures they face](https://richwoman.co/article/when-caring-for-an-autistic-child-stops-being-a-mother-s-burden-the-indian-women-redefining-a) can make all the difference. ‘I am excited to join My Safe Spaces in their mission to revolutionise mental health care delivery in India,’ Dr Halder explains. ‘The platform’s unique integration of AI-powered tools with human-centred care, combined with their commitment to professional excellence, presents an unprecedented opportunity to scale quality mental health training and supervision across the country.’ My Safe Spaces takes a different approach from the flood of mental health apps promising quick fixes. The platform focuses on training real people to offer real support, combining technology with what Dr Halder calls ‘human-centred care’ – recognising that sustainable mental health support requires more than downloading an app or following a trendy framework. The platform’s approach spans schools, workplaces and homes, focusing on training professionals who can provide ongoing support rather than pushing another wellness solution that people will abandon after a few weeks. It’s an approach that acknowledges what research has consistently shown: [effective CBT training involves interactive methods like role-plays and case studies](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6657470/) with supervised clinical experience – not just theoretical knowledge. Dr Halder’s emphasis on evidence-based methods like CBT reflects what mental health professionals across India are finding actually works. [Training programmes that include practical, interactive methods](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6657470/) have led to improved clinical skills among practitioners and, crucially, positive mental health outcomes including reduced anxiety and depression among clients. The focus on cultural adaptation matters too. Indian women don’t need mental health support that was designed in Silicon Valley and assumes everyone has the same lifestyle or challenges. They need approaches that understand the specific pressures they face – from academic stress to corporate burnout to safety concerns that vary dramatically across different cities and situations. Training more professionals with [practical tools matters](https://richwoman.co/article/pedalling-with-purpose-the-1333-mental-health-bikeathon-across-sri-lanka) far more to real families than chasing wellness perfection. As research shows, programmes that integrate [family caregiver support and cultural sensitivity](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7616029/) alongside professional training create the kind of sustainable support systems that actually help people long-term. This approach recognises that [personalised mental health recovery](https://richwoman.co/article/the-haven-detox-a-closer-look-at-personalised-mental-health-recovery) requires understanding individual circumstances. The value of having mental health support from people who understand your context – rather than judge your choices – can’t be overstated. For women who feel lost or overlooked by sleek mental health solutions, having access to professionals trained by someone like Dr Halder represents a different approach entirely. Hubert Jerome, Founder and CEO of My Safe Spaces, recognises this significance: ‘Her extensive background in clinical practice, research and academic leadership will be instrumental in enhancing our PRISM Framework and My Safe Sessions platform, helping us train the next generation of mental health professionals across India.’ This training approach matters because it creates a network of professionals who can offer [immediate tele-counselling and appropriate referrals](https://mohfw.gov.in/?q=pressrelease-206) – the kind of responsive support that government programmes like Tele MANAS have shown can make a real difference, handling over 1.8 million calls since 2022. For women facing domestic violence or abuse, having access to [specialised support that understands their situation](https://richwoman.co/article/removing-invisible-chains-women-online-workshop-available-for-survivors-in-response-to-hidden-domestic-violence-and-abuse) becomes even more critical. The goal isn’t perfect mental health or following the latest wellness trends. It’s [having someone qualified and understanding available](https://richwoman.co/article/the-loneliness-gap-do-men-need-romance-more-than-we-think) when you need them. ## What Mental Health Progress Really Looks Like Real progress in mental health support might not look like the polished content we see on social media. It looks like having trained professionals available across schools, workplaces and communities who can provide [culturally sensitive, early detection and treatment](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7114045/) without judgment. It looks like women being able to access support that acknowledges their specific challenges without trying to fit them into generic wellness frameworks that don’t match their reality. It looks like training programmes that prepare professionals to handle real situations – not just theoretical scenarios. Perhaps most importantly, it looks like having leaders like Dr Halder who understand that sustainable mental health support comes from training empathetic, qualified people rather than hoping technology alone can solve our problems. [Grassroots efforts to support women’s mental health](https://richwoman.co/article/hope-s-lantern-student-starts-nonprofit-for-women-s-mental-health-support) often start with individuals who recognise the gaps in current services. When women finally gather the courage to reach out for help, someone trained by professionals who truly understand their needs will actually be there to answer.