Abstract

Mental health though increasingly recognized as an essential component of overall well-being remains under-addressed in India particularly among blue-collar workers in tier-2 cities. These workers—engaged in factory work construction transportation sanitation and other forms of manual labor—often face long working hours low wages job insecurity migration stress and workplace hazards all of which contribute to mental health challenges. Yet the awareness acknowledgment and treatment of such issues remain limited. This paper investigates the level of mental health awareness among blue-collar workers in tier-2 Indian cities such as Nagpur Lucknow Coimbatore and Surat. Employing a qualitative research approach this study draws on interviews focus group discussions and field observations to explore the perceptions myths coping mechanisms and barriers to mental health support within these communities. The findings reveal that despite the rising mental health burden stigma lack of education an