The Meghalaya honeymoon murder case, where 29-year-old Sonam Raghuvanshi allegedly orchestrated the murder of her husband Raja, has left the nation stunned.
But beneath the headlines lies a troubling reality: a growing mental health crisis rooted in emotional neglect, lack of communication, and family dysfunction in Indian households.
According to mental health expert and MyTreya founder Punitha SR, this case is not an isolated incident. It is a wake-up call highlighting the silent emotional struggles millions of Indian families face behind closed doors.
Mental Health And Family Dysfunction: The Real Crisis
“This is what happens when someone doesn’t have a voice at home,” says Punitha, drawing from her decade-long experience in psycho-social therapy and community development.
While acknowledging the gravity of the crime, Punitha urges society to look deeper.
She explains that acts of extreme violence often stem from long-term emotional suppression, broken communication patterns, and a lack of psychological safety within family environments.
This silent emotional breakdown, she says, has become a national mental health emergency.
The Accountability Gap: Are Indian Parents in Denial?
One of the core issues Punitha raises is the lack of parental accountability. She observes that many parents either overlook or deliberately ignore behavioural red flags in their children, preferring denial over intervention.
“We keep saying ‘not my child’ while ignoring the obvious signs that they’re in distress,” she says.
This culture of denial, Punitha argues, is one of the leading causes of deteriorating mental wellbeing in Indian youth.
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Emotional Violence In Indian Homes: A Widespread Issue
Through her work at MyTreya, a tech-driven wellness platform inspired by global Blue Zones, Punitha sees a repeated pattern of emotional suppression and neglect.
She emphasises that the kind of emotional volatility seen in the Shillong case is not unique.
“People are becoming emotionally reactive and even violent because they lack healthy emotional outlets. When someone reaches the point of plotting murder, every earlier support system—especially the family—has already failed,” she adds.
This situation, she says, is not limited to urban India—it spans across social and economic classes.
The MyTreya Solution: Building Emotional Infrastructure
Rather than addressing mental health only in times of crisis, Punitha champions the idea of emotional infrastructure—a proactive support system that empowers individuals to manage emotions, build resilience, and find their inner voice.
“At MyTreya, we help people look inward—because real change starts from within,” she explains.
MyTreya offers a range of services including:
Confidential mental health counselling
Legal and lifestyle consultations
24/7 expert support
Community-based emotional wellness programmes
The platform’s goal is to create sustainable emotional wellbeing, especially for those who have never been taught how to express or process their feelings.
Who Is Punitha SR?
Punitha SR is a community development expert, mental health advocate, and founder of MyTreya. With over a decade of experience in psycho-social healing, she has helped thousands confront emotional trauma, rebuild self-worth, and take accountability for their mental health.
She believes that the key to long-lasting emotional wellness lies in addressing root causes, not just symptoms.
Conclusion: Time To Talk About Mental Health At Home
The Meghalaya honeymoon murder case is a horrifying reminder of what can happen when families ignore emotional distress.
As India continues to grapple with rising rates of anxiety, depression, and family-related violence, Punitha’s message is clear: Families must evolve. Emotional support and communication should be as important as food, education, and career.
By investing in mental health awareness, open dialogue, and emotional education, families can prevent tragedies—and start healing from within.
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