Mental health professionals across Bihar and India are increasingly emphasising the connection between compassionate communication and emotional well-being, echoing recent remarks by actor and former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen about the importance of speaking with kindness rather than anger.
Dr Rajesh Kumar, a clinical psychologist at Patna's AIIMS, explains that hostile communication patterns can trigger stress responses, elevating cortisol levels and contributing to anxiety and hypertension. "When we speak with aggression, we harm not just others but our own cardiovascular and mental health," he notes. Studies indicate that chronic anger increases the risk of heart disease by up to 19 per cent.
The concept aligns with initiatives under the National Mental Health Programme, which has been promoting emotional literacy in Bihar's government schools since 2022. Teachers are being trained to help students express disagreements constructively, a skill experts say reduces classroom conflicts and improves academic performance.
Communication experts suggest practical steps: pausing before responding in heated moments, using "I" statements instead of accusatory language, and actively listening to others' perspectives. These techniques, rooted in cognitive behavioural therapy, can reduce interpersonal stress and foster healthier relationships. As mental health awareness grows in India, the message is clear—how we speak matters as much to our health as what we say.