Question 1

What is Panha?

Accepted Answer

Panha is an online emotional well-being and peer-support platform built to make mental health support accessible, affordable, and stigma-free. Through Panha, you can talk anonymously to a trained 'Buddy' or book a session with a qualified counsellor — over chat, call, or video — without ever having to share your real identity.

Question 2

Who is Panha for?

Accepted Answer

Panha is for anyone going through a tough phase — students dealing with academic or placement pressure, young professionals facing burnout, people going through a breakup or toxic relationship, or anyone who simply feels lonely and needs someone to talk to. You don't need a diagnosis or a 'big enough' problem to use Panha; feeling overwhelmed is reason enough.

Question 3

How is Panha different from therapy apps or counselling platforms?

Accepted Answer

Panha sits between a friend and a professional. Alongside licensed counselling sessions, Panha offers something most therapy apps don't: trained Buddies — psychology students who specialise in empathetic, non-judgemental listening — for the moments you just need to be heard, not analysed.

Question 4

Who are the people behind Panha?

Accepted Answer

Panha is run by Panhacare Emotional Private Limited, a team of mental-health advocates, psychology students, and counsellors. Panha is backed by a 10,000+ strong peer-support community and a team of 100+ changemakers working to make emotional support normal and accessible across India.

Question 5

What problems does Panha help with?

Accepted Answer

Breakups and heartbreak, toxic or confusing relationships, family conflict, loneliness and isolation, anxiety and overthinking, low mood and depression, academic and placement stress, workplace burnout, anger issues, and harassment or stalking situations are among the most common reasons people reach out to Panha.

Question 6

Is Panha a mental health treatment platform?

Accepted Answer

No. Panha is an informational and peer-support platform. Buddies provide empathetic listening and peer support, not clinical diagnosis or treatment. If you need a clinical diagnosis, medication, or structured therapy, Panha's professional counsellors can guide you or refer you appropriately — but the Buddy program itself is peer support, not therapy.

Question 7

Is Panha only for people with a 'serious' mental health condition?

Accepted Answer

Not at all. Most people who use Panha aren't in crisis — they're dealing with everyday stress, confusion, or loneliness and just want a safe space to talk it out. You don't need a diagnosis to deserve support.

Question 8

Who is eligible to use Panha?

Accepted Answer

Panha is open to anyone looking for emotional support — there's no requirement to have a diagnosed condition, and no judgement based on what you're going through. The main requirements are a valid phone number for account verification and being comfortable communicating in one of Panha's supported languages.

Question 9

Why was Panha created?

Accepted Answer

Panha was created after recognising how many people silently struggle without access to affordable, non-judgemental support, and how much stigma still surrounds asking for help in India. The vision behind Panha is simple: every voice deserves to be heard, and no one should feel alone in their struggles — with the larger long-term goal of helping reduce suicide rates by making emotional support normal and easy to access.

Question 10

Is Panha available across India?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Panha operates as an online platform accessible from anywhere in India (and to Indians abroad) via web and app, so location is never a barrier to getting support.

Question 11

Do I need to download an app to use Panha?

Accepted Answer

You can access Panha's Buddy chat and counselling booking through the website at panhacare.com, and depending on availability, through the Panha mobile app.

Question 12

Is Panha free?

Accepted Answer

Panha is free to sign up and browse. Every new user also gets a complimentary trial on the Panha App — your first 10 minutes with a Buddy are free (chat or audio) — so you can experience the support before deciding whether to continue with a paid session.

Question 13

Does Panha replace talking to friends and family?

Accepted Answer

No, and it isn't meant to. Panha is a complement, not a replacement — it's for the things that feel too heavy, too private, or too complicated to bring up with people you know. Many users find it easier to open up to a stranger precisely because there's no fear of judgement or gossip.

Question 14

Who is a Panha Buddy?

Accepted Answer

A Buddy is a trained psychology student who offers empathetic listening and emotional support sessions on Panha. Buddies are chosen and trained specifically in peer-support and active-listening methodologies — they're not just 'anyone,' but people equipped to hold space for your feelings.

Question 15

Are Buddies licensed therapists or psychologists?

Accepted Answer

No. Buddies are psychology students trained in peer-support and listening techniques, not licensed mental health professionals. This is intentional — it allows Panha to offer warm, relatable, judgement-free conversations at a fraction of the cost and waiting time of formal therapy. If your situation needs clinical care, your Buddy or the Panha team will point you toward professional counselling.

Question 16

What can I talk to a Buddy about?

Accepted Answer

Anything that's on your mind — a breakup, a fight with your parents, exam stress, loneliness, confusion about a relationship, anger, anxiety, or just a bad day. There's no topic too small, and no topic too heavy to bring up.

Question 17

How does a conversation with a Buddy actually help?

Accepted Answer

Simply putting your feelings into words — to someone who listens without judging, interrupting, or trying to 'fix' you — can lower stress almost immediately. Many Panha users say they start feeling lighter within the first few minutes of a conversation, even before a 'solution' comes up.

Question 18

How do I start talking to a Buddy?

Accepted Answer

Sign up on Panhacare with your basic details, browse Buddy profiles based on what you're going through, and start a chat, call, or video call.

Question 19

Can I choose which Buddy I talk to?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Buddy profiles include the kind of experiences they specialise in (such as toxic relationships, loneliness, addiction, or breakups), so you can pick someone whose background feels closest to your situation.

Question 20

What if I don't connect with my Buddy?

Accepted Answer

That's completely fine — not every personality clicks, and that's normal. You're free to switch to a different Buddy at any time; there's no obligation to continue with someone you don't feel comfortable with.

Question 21

Will my Buddy remember our previous conversations?

Accepted Answer

Where the platform supports it, your Buddy can refer back to earlier conversations so you don't have to repeat your story every time. This helps build the kind of continuity that makes peer support feel more like an ongoing relationship than a one-off vent session.

Question 22

Can I talk to the same Buddy every time?

Accepted Answer

Yes, most users prefer this, and you're welcome to book the same Buddy repeatedly so your conversations build on each other over time.

Question 23

Are Buddy conversations available 24/7?

Accepted Answer

Buddy availability depends on individual schedules, shown live on each profile. If your preferred Buddy is busy, you can either wait for their next available slot or talk to another available Buddy right away.

Question 24

Can I talk to a Buddy on chat instead of a call?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Panha lets you choose between chat, voice call, or video call with your Buddy, depending on what feels most comfortable for you in the moment.

Question 25

Is talking to a Buddy the same as talking to a friend?

Accepted Answer

It's similar in warmth, but different in important ways: a Buddy is trained to listen without judgement, won't carry your story into your social circle, and is available specifically for the purpose of supporting you — without the complicated dynamics that sometimes come with friends or family.

Question 26

Can a Buddy give me advice, or just listen?

Accepted Answer

Buddies are trained primarily in active listening, but many conversations naturally include perspective, coping ideas, or gentle suggestions drawn from the Buddy's own lived experience. Panha doesn't promise a 'solution,' but most users leave the conversation with more clarity and a lighter mind.

Question 27

What actually happens during a Buddy session?

Accepted Answer

There's no rigid script. Most conversations start with the Buddy checking in on what's going on for you, then follow wherever you want to take it — venting, working through a specific situation, or just talking to feel less alone. You're in control of the pace and the depth of what you share.

Question 28

How long does a Buddy session last?

Accepted Answer

Sessions don't have a fixed end time — you're billed by the minute, so a conversation can run as short or as long as you need it to, and you can end it whenever you're ready.

Question 29

Do I need to prepare anything before talking to a Buddy?

Accepted Answer

No preparation is needed. You don't need to plan what to say or have your thoughts organised — many users find that talking it out loud, even messily, is exactly what helps them get clarity.

Question 30

Does Panha offer professional counselling, not just peer support?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Alongside the Buddy program, Panha connects you with qualified mental health professionals for more personalised, in-depth support — particularly useful for situations that need clinical attention rather than peer conversation.

Question 31

How do I know if I need a Buddy or a professional counsellor?

Accepted Answer

If you mainly need to vent, process a recent event, or feel less alone, a Buddy conversation is a great starting point. If you're dealing with persistent symptoms — ongoing low mood, panic attacks, trauma, or thoughts that interfere with daily life — professional counselling is the better fit. Many users start with a Buddy and are guided toward a counsellor if their situation calls for it.

Question 32

Are Panha's counsellors qualified?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Panha's professional counselling track is staffed by qualified mental health professionals, distinct from the psychology-student Buddy program, for cases that need a more clinical, personalised approach.

Question 33

Can a Buddy diagnose me with anxiety, depression, or another condition?

Accepted Answer

No. Buddies are not licensed to diagnose any condition. Only a qualified mental health professional can provide a clinical diagnosis — Panha's counselling track exists exactly for this reason.

Question 34

Is professional counselling on Panha confidential?

Accepted Answer

Yes. As with the Buddy program, anything you share in a counselling session is kept private and is not shared with the Buddy program, other users, or anyone outside the session, except where required by law or safety concerns.

Question 35

Does Panha provide medication or psychiatric treatment?

Accepted Answer

No. Panha's counselling sessions are talk-based support and guidance. If your situation requires medication or psychiatric evaluation, your counsellor can refer you to an appropriate psychiatrist or medical professional.

Question 36

Is online counselling as effective as in-person therapy?

Accepted Answer

Research consistently shows that online/video counselling can be just as effective as in-person therapy for many concerns, with the added benefit of being more accessible, private, and convenient — especially for people who feel hesitant about walking into a clinic.

Question 37

Can I switch between a Buddy and a counsellor depending on how I feel?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You're never locked into one type of support — you can use Buddy conversations for everyday emotional support and book a counsellor whenever you feel you need more structured, professional help.

Question 38

Will my counsellor and Buddy share information about me with each other?

Accepted Answer

No, conversations stay within the context they were shared in. Panha does not cross-share your personal conversations between Buddies and counsellors without your consent.

Question 39

Is Panha completely free?

Accepted Answer

Signing up, browsing Buddy and counsellor profiles, and your first 10 minutes of conversation on the Panha App are free. Beyond the trial period, sessions are paid to keep the platform sustainable and to fairly compensate Buddies and counsellors for their time.

Question 40

How much does it cost to talk to a Buddy after the free trial?

Accepted Answer

A standard Buddy conversation costs ₹300 per 45 minutes.

Question 41

How much do professional counselling sessions cost?

Accepted Answer

Counselling session pricing depends on the individual psychologist and their level of expertise. Pricing is displayed clearly on each therapist's profile before you book.

Question 42

Do I have to pay before every session, or can I top up a wallet?

Accepted Answer

You can add money to your Panha wallet in advance and use the balance across sessions, similar to a recharge — this avoids re-entering payment details every time you want to talk.

Question 43

Is my payment information safe with Panha?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All payments are processed through secure, verified payment gateways. Panha does not store your raw card or banking details on its own servers.

Question 44

Is Panha anonymous?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You don't need to reveal your real name, photo, or any identifying details to talk to a Buddy or join the community. Many users choose a username or masked identity specifically so they can speak completely freely.

Question 45

If Panha is anonymous, why do I need to sign up with my phone number?

Accepted Answer

Basic verification (like a phone number and OTP) is only used to secure your account and protect your wallet balance — so that if you log out or switch devices, your account and any remaining balance aren't lost. It does not make your conversations identifiable to other users.

Question 46

Will the person I talk to know who I really am?

Accepted Answer

No. Buddies and counsellors do not have access to your real identity unless you choose to share it yourself during the conversation.

Question 47

Are conversations on Panha recorded?

Accepted Answer

Conversations are not routinely recorded. However, if a conversation is flagged for violating platform policies (for example, abuse, harassment, or safety concerns), it may be reviewed in part or in full strictly for investigation and platform safety — never for commercial use.

Question 48

Is my personal data sold to advertisers or third parties?

Accepted Answer

No. Panha processes personal data in line with India's Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, and does not sell, rent, or share your information with third parties for marketing purposes.

Question 49

Can I delete my account and data?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can delete your account directly through the Panha Care mobile app. If you are using the website, you must send an email to support@panhacare.com requesting account deletion, and our team will process it securely.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Panha

The Buddy Program

Professional Counselling

Pricing & Payments

Privacy & Safety

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