Ishitha Teluguntla

By Ishitha Teluguntla In the middle of a conversation, someone asks a seemingly simple question, “Are you okay?” For a brief moment, there is hesitation. The answer could be honest and reflect the stress, exhaustion, or emotional strain you’re feeling, but instead, the response is automatic: “I’m fine.” This interaction is so common that it often goes unquestioned. Across ages and environments, people routinely choose to conceal their internal struggles, even when those struggles feel significant.