Indian households have set gender scripts that are rarely questioned. Girls are raised to be “good,” to adjust, to put everyone else first. Boys are told to be strong, not cry, not “be weak.”

 

These scripts come with consequences for both men and women.

 

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A striking phenomenon in Indian men’s mental health is the gender paradox of suicidal behaviour. While women have higher rates of diagnosed depression and anxiety, men have significantly higher suicide rates.

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National data shows about 72% of all suicide deaths in India are men (National Crime Records Bureau, 2023)  over half of female suicides were among housewives, with family violence as the leading cause.

 

 

Life is literally the price paid for the lack of emotional education and regulation.

 

In our patriarchal structure, emotional education for boys barely exists. They learn to rely on silence, anger, avoidance, or other unhealthy coping mechanisms. Vulnerability is mistaken for weakness, instead of honesty and strength, often reinforced by other men
 

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Girls and women have been socialised to share their struggles with each other, creating informal sisterhoods of support. It’s not always healthy, however it provides immense value. We can’t say the same for men. Their socialisation is often shallow with emotions being replaced by banter, cricket scores, or work talk, while reality stays hidden.

 

Our pilot run with the community shared what this gap creates: disconnection, bottled pain, strained relationships, and coping mechanisms that aren’t sustainable or beneficial.

 

 

Fight Club exists to rewire the script.

 

 

We do not preach, blame, or try to “fix” men.

We’re here to give them space to be their authentic selves, and without the the need to prove something

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We also ask women to show up and witness without rescuing, creating a healthier, mutual model of emotional coexistence rather than gendered labour

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When men take active ownership of caring for their mental health, it creates a ripple effect out to their partners, families, and communities, ultimately making generational impact.

 

 

In a country like ours, Fight Club aims to be quietly revolutionary.

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