FRND Launches 'FRND Hai' Campaign built around the idea: Someone Is Always There To Talk To Here

Bengaluru, 18th May, 2026: Loneliness is no longer just a personal struggle; it is a public health crisis. The WHO has declared it a global health threat, with one in four people worldwide affected. In India, the challenge runs deeper with over 200 million people living with a mental health condition, yet conversations around emotional wellbeing remain largely absent from mainstream discourse, especially for young people in Tier 2–4 towns, where access to mental health resources is limited and social stigma around vulnerability persists.

This Mental Health Awareness Month, FRND, India's avatar-based audio social discovery platform and the marquee product of Interact Group, has launched 'FRND Hai', a campaign aimed at raising awareness around the mental health challenges faced by young Indians and the role that everyday conversations play in alleviating loneliness, easing anxiety, and reducing daily microstress.

To watch the campaign film, please visit: https://youtu.be/9F-i11j-dh4

Aligned with this year's global Mental Health Awareness Month theme, "More Good Days, Together," the campaign is anchored in a simple but powerful insight: sometimes, all you really need is someone to talk to. Through relatable "FRND Hai when…" moments, the campaign brings to life the emotional shifts that one genuine conversation can create.

With nearly a million conversations and an average user spending more than 30 mins on the platform daily, FRND's voice-first, avatar-based design removes the social barriers of appearance and status, giving users from India's heartland a space to connect through authentic conversations rather than curated profiles. The platform's moderation infrastructure, including a 100-member team and real-time AI systems, ensures these conversations happen in a safe, respectful environment.

Commenting on the campaign, Bhanu Pratap Singh Tanwar, Co-founder & CEO, Interact Group, said, "Mental health is not an urban luxury but is the defining wellbeing challenge of our generation. Yet for millions of young Indians, the first barrier isn't access to resources; it is simply not having enough support and access to someone to talk to. This Mental Health Awareness Month, 'FRND Hai' is our reminder to young India that no worry is ever too small to talk about. Sometimes, a single conversation or simply opening up can make you feel lighter and less alone. Whether you're unable to sleep after a difficult moment, have had a terrible day, or just need someone to listen without judgement on FRND, there's always someone available to talk to. For fun banter, friendly advice, or simply human connection, FRND Hai."

Maheshwari, 35, a FRND user from Chennai, shared, "After my divorce, I was dealing with extreme loneliness, stress, and sleepless nights. I was active on social media, but I realised that having followers and getting likes didn't mean having someone to actually talk to. When a friend introduced me to FRND, things changed. For the first time, I had a space where I could express myself without being judged - just talk, be heard, and feel like I mattered. FRND didn't just help me cope; it helped me find my voice again. Today, I feel emotionally stronger, more confident, and more connected to people than I ever did scrolling through my feed. Sometimes, healing begins with just one honest conversation."

As India's digital communities expand deeper into Tier 2, 3, and 4 towns, the 'FRND Hai' campaign underscores a growing truth: the future of digital platforms will not be measured by engagement metrics alone, but by their ability to make people feel genuinely less alone.

About FRND:
Founded in 2019, by Bhanu Pratap Singh Tanwar and Harshvardhan Chhangani, FRND is India's first avatar-based audio social discovery platform that enables empathetic connections in Tier 2–4 towns and villages through an open social network. Designed for users aged 18–35, primarily from Tier 2 - 4 towns and beyond, FRND operates in ten Indic languages and has an array of innovative features. FRND is the marquee product of Interact Group, a company that is building an interaction entertainment portfolio at the intersection of social discovery, social gaming, voice, and AI for the next billion users.

For more information/questions, please reach out to us at press@frnd.app