In this episode of the Decoding the EducationWorld Podcast, Managing Editor Summiya  Yasmeen speaks with Dr. Shekhar Seshadri, one of India’s most respected child psychiatrists, former Senior Professor at NIMHANS, and Advisor to Samvad, about the growing child mental health crisis in India.

The conversation explores why child mental health has emerged as one of the country’s most pressing yet under-discussed public health challenges. Dr. Seshadri discusses the impact of academic pressure, coaching culture, digital dependence, social media, parenting styles, and examination stress on children’s emotional wellbeing, while highlighting the urgent need for schools, families, and policymakers to build stronger mental health support systems.

From recognising early warning signs and reducing stigma to fostering meaningful parent-child conversations, creating wellbeing ecosystems in schools, and navigating the challenges of the AI and digital age, this is a thought-provoking discussion on how India can create healthier, happier, and more resilient childhoods.

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