Harman Battu is a Registered Clinical Counsellor at Hundal Counselling Centre who is passionate about supporting men with their mental health. He works with individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, stress, relationship challenges, and life transitions, with a particular focus on the unique cultural experiences of South Asian men.
When people think about depression, they often picture someone who is visibly sad, crying, or unable to get out of bed. The reality is that depression does not always look this way. For many South Asian men, depression is hidden behind long work hours, family responsibilities, success, and the belief that they simply need to keep going.
This hidden form of depression is often called covert depression. It is depression that stays beneath the surface. A man may appear successful at work, provide for his family, and continue meeting every responsibility while privately feeling exhausted, emotionally disconnected, or hopeless.
At Hundal Counselling Centre, we regularly see South Asian men who have spent years carrying emotional pain without ever talking about it. Many are not looking for sympathy. They simply want the stress to stop, the anxiety to quiet down, and to feel like themselves again.
The challenge is that many men have never been taught how to recognize depression in the first place.
From a young age, many South Asian boys are raised to be strong, independent, and dependable. They learn to work hard, respect their family, and put the needs of others before their own. These are valuable qualities, but they can also create the belief that asking for help means you are weak or that talking about emotions will disappoint your family.
As a result, many South Asian men keep everything inside.
Instead of saying they are depressed, they might say they are stressed. They might tell themselves they are just tired or that work has been busy. They continue showing up every day while feeling increasingly overwhelmed.
Depression in men often looks very different from what people expect. Some men become more irritable and frustrated. Others lose interest in hobbies they once enjoyed. Some throw themselves into work because staying busy feels easier than slowing down. Others begin drinking more, withdrawing from family, or feeling emotionally numb. They may still smile, attend family gatherings, and meet every expectation, but inside they feel disconnected from themselves and the people they love.
Many South Asian men also carry pressures that are unique to their culture. They may feel responsible for supporting parents, raising children, succeeding in their career, maintaining family harmony, and living up to expectations that have been passed down through generations. Some are balancing two cultures while trying to figure out who they are. Others carry the stress of immigration, financial responsibility, or relationship conflict without believing they have permission to ask for support.
Over time, carrying these burdens alone can take a significant toll.
Depression can begin affecting physical health, sleep, concentration, relationships, and self confidence. It can become harder to connect with a spouse, children, or friends. Many men begin feeling like they are simply surviving instead of enjoying life.
The good news is that depression is treatable.
Counselling is not about being told what to do or being judged. It is about having a private and confidential space where you can talk openly, understand what you are experiencing, and learn practical ways to manage stress, anxiety, depression, and relationship challenges.
Many men say they wish they had reached out sooner.
You do not have to wait until you are in crisis before seeking help. You do not have to carry everything on your own simply because that is what you have always done.
Harman Battu provides culturally responsive counselling for South Asian men who are experiencing depression, anxiety, workplace stress, relationship concerns, family conflict, and life transitions. Harman understands the unique cultural expectations that many Punjabi and South Asian men experience and offers a supportive environment where you can speak openly without fear of judgment.
If you have been feeling overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, or like you have lost yourself beneath the weight of responsibility, now is the time to make your mental health a priority. Taking the first step is often the hardest part, but it can also be the beginning of meaningful change.
Book an appointment at Hundal Counselling Centre today and start building the healthier, more balanced life you deserve.