Crying Clubs Emerge in India, Offering Emotional Release and Healing

Across India, an unconventional trend is taking shape as individuals gather not to laugh but to cry. In cities such as Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Pune, crying clubs are becoming a popular means of emotional expression and healing. This phenomenon, inspired by Japan’s concept of ruikatsu or “tear-seeking activity,” encourages participants to embrace their emotions collectively, offering a cathartic release in a supportive environment.

The idea of crying in front of strangers initially strikes many as unusual. Tejal, a 30-year-old human resources professional, admits, “I didn’t think I’d cry. But when I saw others breaking down, it just… came out. I didn’t need to explain why. It felt freeing.” Such sentiments reveal the core of these gatherings: the relief of sharing vulnerabilities without judgment.

Understanding the Emotional Release

Therapists observe that society often pressures individuals to suppress their emotions. A therapist participating in these circles explains, “We’ve been told for too long to hold it together. But suppressing emotion doesn’t make it disappear; it makes it heavier.” Kanika, a Buddhist practitioner and crying club facilitator, emphasizes that these clubs provide a sanctuary for individuals to unload emotional burdens and experience a sense of liberation from their struggles.

Scientific research supports the benefits of crying. A study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology indicates that crying activates the body’s relaxation system, helping to release stress hormones like cortisol. Participants frequently describe feeling “lighter” or “emptied out” after sessions. One attendee from Hyderabad likens the experience to pressing a reset button: “You walk in carrying your week, and you leave without it.”

A Shift in Mental Health Perspectives

The rise of crying clubs reflects a significant shift in how individuals in India view mental health. Historically, self-care practices focused on productivity, yoga, and meditation. Dr. Neeta Mohan, a counselor and psychologist based in Mumbai, notes, “Crying used to be seen as a loss of control. But now, people are recognizing it as emotional regulation and a healthy expression of what they’ve been holding inside.”

Crying alongside others normalizes emotional openness, allowing participants to witness vulnerability without shame. This shift subtly alters perceptions of emotional expression, conveying that feeling deeply is a natural aspect of being human.

Attendees of these clubs come from various backgrounds, including working professionals, students, new parents, and retirees. Many shed tears for personal losses, while others grapple with feelings of inadequacy or loneliness exacerbated by modern life. A tech employee from Mumbai succinctly states, “We celebrate laughter, but we hide tears. The crying club reminds me that both are part of being alive.”

Tears serve as a great equalizer, dissolving social hierarchies and masks. A middle-aged participant recalls, “For the first time, I cried without apology. No one told me to stop or ‘be strong.’ It was healing.”

Crying clubs do not promise instant solutions or replace traditional therapy. Instead, they provide a safe space for individuals to express their emotions as they are—raw and unfiltered. Participants leave with the understanding that joy and sorrow are not opposites but companions, and that healing often emerges through tears.

As each session concludes, participants sit quietly together, faces blotchy and eyes red, yet laughter punctuates the atmosphere. Someone might joke about needing a tissue sponsor, lightening the mood amidst the emotional release. Outside, the usual city traffic continues, and office deadlines loom. Yet, each participant walks home with a gentle reminder of the profound healing power of tears.