‘Let’s Talk Life’ offers anonymous online space for young people seeking mental health support

Subscribed with another email? Logout and Login with that one. Updated - August 28, 2026 10:25 am IST - Bengaluru The platform does not require users to disclose personally identifiable information. Responses are provided by trained peer volunteers and reviewed by mental health professionals before being posted.

Image used for representational purposes. | Photo Credit: FILE PHOTO For many young people dealing with stress, loneliness, family pressures, relationship concerns or fears about the future, the inability to speak openly can itself become a barrier to seeking help.

Against this backdrop, anonymous peer-support platforms are emerging as a possible bridge between silence and support. One such initiative, Let’s Talk Life, developed by mental health professionals at National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) and technologists at the International Institute of Information Technology-Bangalore (IIIT-B), allows young people to share their concerns anonymously and seek emotional support without fear of judgement.

A recent paper analysing 137 posts on the platform found that users commonly turned to it to express emotional distress, seek suggestions, make sense of their experiences, and receive validation. The findings were published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

The platform does not require users to disclose personally identifiable information. Responses are provided by trained peer volunteers and reviewed by mental health professionals before being posted. “Many young people hesitate to approach formal mental health services because of stigma, fear of being misunderstood, or the belief that their problems are not serious enough.

A safe, anonymous space can become the first point where they articulate what they are experiencing,” said Seema Mehrotra, Professor in the Department of Clinical Psychology at NIMHANS and Principal Investigator of the project.

The study found that users discussed concerns ranging from academic pressure, family conflicts, and relationship difficulties to self-doubt, loneliness, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Stress, uncertainty, helplessness, loneliness, and feeling overwhelmed were among the prominent emotional states reported in the posts.

Family pressures, relationship difficulties, self-esteem concerns, and mental health symptoms also featured frequently. Users approached the platform for several reasons, including seeking practical suggestions, expressing emotions, sharing reflections, understanding their experiences, and seeking reassurance.

“Peer support does not replace professional care. Its role is to create a bridge — helping a young person feel heard, understand their emotions better, and, wherever required, take the next step towards professional help,” Dr.

Mehrotra said. Researchers said young people often turn first to informal support systems, such as friends and peers, before seeking professional assistance. Digital platforms can make such support more accessible by allowing users to communicate anonymously.

Abhishek Karishiddimath, Scientist at the ICMR Centre for Advanced Research, NIMHANS, said the peer volunteers responding on the platform were themselves young people. “They undergo structured training in empathetic, respectful, and solution-oriented responses.

Every response is reviewed by mental health experts to ensure safety and appropriateness,” he said.