Bengaluru cafés are turning into therapy zones

Time of India

4 days ago

Gen-Z is finding ways to speak about mental health and get deeper into the process of healing, one meetup at a time, and it is Bengaluru's quaint cafés that seem to be opening doors for what can be called a 'movement' of sorts.
From post-breakup blues to dealing with layoff-induced anxiety, these informal community hubs are becoming the unlikely sanctuaries for mental well-being. Here's a look:
Wellness meetups at cafés
Bengaluru's cafés aren't just about latte art and vegan bowls; they're now evolving into safe spaces for emotional expression. 'We host open mics, therapy talks, and mental health events, and we've had people aged from 18 to 60,' says Sneh Chawla, who helps organise events at Go Native.
'There's a shift. Earlier, therapy was seen as a last resort. Now, talking about it is a sign of strength, and these meetups destigmatise therapy in the best way,' she adds.
Another such space in Bengaluru is Champaca, which is a book café that hosts sessions about mental health and overall well-being.
Gen Z's online presence comes from the occasional misuse of therapy language. Terms like trauma bonding or gaslighting get thrown around casually. It's great that people are learning the language, but real understanding takes time. Guided sessions help people start conversations that our parents never dared to
Bhavya Verma, psychotherapist
'Easy, affordable and meaningful'
Not everyone can afford clinical therapy right away. That's why these drop-in models are important. They're affordable, accessible, and don't come with the intimidating formality of a clinic, says Bhavya, a practising therapist, who sees this shift as deeply meaningful.
'Therapy can feel isolating. You're changing, but your world around you isn't. These meetups offer a community, a place to realise you're not alone in the work,' she explains.
'No stigma of being judged by fellow participants'
Udai Kiran, founder of Dialogues Café, one of the city's active community spaces, says, 'We've been hosting Listener Circles, which are informal, non-judgmental gatherings where people open up to strangers without fear of being judged. No feedback, no solutions, just listening, and for many, that's all they need.'
While talking about how there has been awareness among Gen-Z about mental health, he says, 'If talking helps them feel better, they'll do it, and that's powerful.
Around 60–70 per cent of those attending mental health circles and meetups are under the age of 30. These include teenagers as young as 15 to working professionals in their early 30s.'
Around 60–70 per cent of those attending mental health circles and meetups are under the age of 30
- Udai Kiran, of Dialogues Café
Dr Isha Maharana, a dentist, also hosts a monthly meetup series that explores different facets of emotional well-being.
According to Isha, Gen Z is leading the charge. 'They draw boundaries, talk about therapy, recommend counsellors, and it's become a part of everyday language,' she says. 'When I was younger, we never spoke like this. But there's more to it than vocabulary. These meetups make people feel less alone.
When someone shares a story, others realise that they're not the only one feeling this way, that's the beginning of healing,' she adds.
These meetups make people feel less alone. When someone shares a story, others realise that they're not the only one feeling this way, that's the beginning of healing
Dr Isha Maharana, dentist and participant
The rise of art therapy
Among the most popular formats now are art therapy sessions, where people gather to paint, sketch, or simply let their creativity speak. 'There are no rules, no expectations. Just colours and emotions. A lot of people say they haven't painted in years. But once they start, they don't want to stop,' shares one event organiser. 'It's not about what you create, but what you release.'