Breaking the Silence: Reena Chopra on Supporting Mothers’ Mental Health
In 2007, Reena Chopra stepped into marriage with starry-eyed hopes, unaware of how swiftly her life would transform. Within two years, she became a mother, taking on the immense responsibilities of nurturing a child while balancing her roles as a wife, daughter-in-law, and working professional. Like so many women, she found herself unprepared, adrift in a sea of expectations, exhaustion, and relentless guilt.
The sleepless nights. The tug-of-war between work and home. The silent tears. The frustration felt inescapable. Reena, by her own admission, smiled on the outside but felt disconnected within, even from her son. It was a painful, raw experience that shook her deeply.
But in that struggle, something shifted. Reena realised she needed to heal, not only for herself but for her family. What began as a desperate search for answers led her to the world of psychology. Over nearly a decade, she learned, unlearned, and rebuilt her emotional landscape. By the time she became a mother again in 2018, she felt transformed, equipped with knowledge, clarity, and confidence to navigate the challenges of parenting.
Through this journey, a powerful realisation emerged: parenting doesn’t break people, unpreparedness does. And while society prepares couples for weddings, baby showers, or picture-perfect milestones, no one talks enough about preparing parents emotionally for the challenges ahead.
Determined to change this, Reena, now a psychologist and modern parenting expert, turned her mission outward. She dedicated herself to helping other parents build emotional strength, resilience, and mindful strategies to raise secure, happy children. Her work expanded through workshops, a podcast series with mental health experts, and widespread advocacy for mothers’ mental health, eventually earning her national recognition with the Indian Icon Award in 2024.
Today, Reena Chopra is a voice of hope, reminding parents that they don’t have to strive for perfection; they simply need to stay present and supported.
As she puts it, “Parenthood is not a solo journey, it takes a village, and it starts with emotional awareness.”
In this candid conversation with My City Links, Reena Chopra shares her insights on parenting, maternal mental health, and why supporting parents is the first step to building healthier families.
You’ve spoken candidly about your early experiences with motherhood. What was the moment when you realised you needed to prioritise your mental health?
After my first child in 2009, I was drowning, exhausted, overwhelmed, and guilt-ridden. One night, during a silent breakdown while feeding my son, I knew I needed help. Addressing my mental health wasn’t a luxury; it was my lifeline.
How did your challenges shape the kind of support you now offer through SaarHolistic Wellness?
My decade-long struggle became the foundation of SaarHolistic. I built the support system I desperately needed: counselling, tools, community, because I believe no mother should feel alone in the way I did.
You mentioned feeling disconnected from your child during the initial years. How common is this, and why do you think it remains unspoken in many families?
It’s more common than we admit. Emotional fatigue and parenting stress affect up to 50% of new mothers . Yet cultural expectations silence mothers into shame rather than promoting help-seeking.
What were some misconceptions about motherhood that you had initially, and how did reality reshape them?
I believed pure love would instantly bring harmony. In reality, love without emotional readiness led to burnout. Motherhood isn’t about perfection; it’s about resilience, self-awareness, and emotional balance.
In your work with mothers across India, what are some of the most common mental health challenges you see today?
Postpartum depression is a huge concern. It affects at least 22% of mothers in India, and that figure can rise to over 26% in urban areas. Beyond that, so many mothers grapple with anxiety, identity loss, and constant stress, yet very few actually receive the support they need.
Many mothers experience guilt for even thinking about their well-being. How do you help them reframe that mindset?
I explain that when a mother heals, the entire family heals. Self-care isn't selfish, it’s saving her capacity to love, teach, and nurture. It’s essential emotional parenting.
How important is it for a mother to process emotions like anger, sadness, or exhaustion rather than suppress them?
Suppressing emotions like anger, sadness, or exhaustion weakens maternal sensitivity. Meta-analyses show that stress reduces emotional attunement, impacting child development.
You say 'parenting doesn’t break people – unpreparedness does.' How can new mothers begin to emotionally prepare for motherhood, especially in Indian households where this isn't always encouraged?
One way is through prenatal emotional education and couples’ counselling. It really helps parents set realistic expectations and build a strong foundation together. Research even shows that untreated antenatal depression, which affects nearly 29% of mothers, can impact a baby’s motor and cognitive development, so addressing these issues early is incredibly important.
Parenting styles are evolving rapidly. What are some unique challenges that modern parents face that weren’t as relevant a decade ago?
Now, parents face screen-time struggles, digital distractions, academic pressure, and isolation from joint-family support, which earlier generations didn’t have.
With technology, screen time, academic pressure, and nuclear families, what are the biggest stressors for today’s parents, and how can they navigate them consciously?
Tech overload, comparisonitis, and nuclear-family isolation top the list. Conscious parenting demands intentional screen limits, real emotional conversations, and supportive communities to reduce stress.
You often emphasise the importance of raising ‘emotionally secure children’. What does that look like in day-to-day parenting?
It’s about naming feelings (“I see you’re upset”), modelling calm responses, validating emotions, and allowing children to express themselves, building a secure emotional bond.
What role do fathers play in the emotional ecosystem of a family, and how can they be more actively involved in mindful parenting?
Fathers shape balance through involvement, physical presence, emotional listening, and shared caregiving. Their engagement strengthens family harmony and teaches equality to children.
What are some simple psychological tools or mindful strategies you recommend for overwhelmed mothers?
Just like I did: 5-minute mindfulness, expressive journaling, emotional check-ins with a therapist, breathwork, and solo time. Small, consistent steps can rebuild mental well-being.
How can couples prepare emotionally for parenting during pregnancy itself?
Through workshops covering emotional expectations, role-sharing plans, and postpartum real-talk. Preparation gives couples a foundation to handle mental health challenges together.
Tell us about the support circles or workshops you run at SaarHolistic Wellness. How do they help mothers feel less isolated in their journeys?
Moms share their struggles, feel heard, and learn emotional skills together. Studies show peer support significantly decreases maternal stress and improves bonding.
Your podcast brings together voices from psychology, gynecology, and parenting. What kind of impact has it had on your community of listeners?
By giving a platform to psychologists, gynecologists, and real mothers, the podcast has normalized emotional conversation, especially in tier 2 & 3 cities where such voices were rare.
How did it feel to receive the Indian Icon Award in 2024? What did that recognition mean to you and your mission?
It symbolized validation, not just for me, but for every silent mother who needed permission to seek help. It confirmed that emotional support for mothers matters at scale.
What’s next for SaarHolistic Wellness? Are there any upcoming programs, collaborations, or initiatives we should look out for?
We have launched recorded courses for busy mothers, a membership-based support network with monthly workshops and 1:1 interactive support, live circles, expert webinars, and school-partner programs for parent education.
What message would you share with a new mother who feels completely overwhelmed and unsure of herself right now?
You’re not failing, you’re adapting. It’s okay to seek support, rest, cry, or talk. You deserve care. Right now, that first step toward healing may be the most loving choice you ever make.
If there’s one cultural shift you wish to see in how Indian society treats motherhood and mental health, what would it be?
I envision a shift from expecting mothers to "sacrifice" to uplifting them, to making maternal mental wellness as celebrated as physical well-being. Happy mothers raise thriving families.
