A Life Dedicated to Youth, Healing, and Creative Advocacy – Interview with Kiran Reddy

Kiran Reddy is a leader in mental health, youth empowerment, and creative advocacy. With a background in psychology and fine arts, he blends science and creativity to support emotional well-being. He is the founder and CEO of ESPOIR, an NGO, a community service organisation which also takes care of mental health. Having worked with global bodies such as UNICEF and UNESCO, Kiran is dedicated to inspiring change through counseling, leadership, and public speaking. His mission: Empower minds, elevate lives.

Kiran Reddy, Psychologist, Social Worker, Author & Life Coach

Introduce yourself! Please tell us about you and your life, so we can get to know you better.

I’m Kiran Reddy, and I come from a small, tight-knit family – just the three of us. I’m a single child, raised in a typical hardworking brown household where emotions ran deep but were often hidden behind responsibilities and routines. Like most families, we’ve had our share of ups and downs, but that’s also what taught me strength, patience, and empathy.

I’ve always had big passions – honestly, probably too many to count. From psychology and social work to painting, public speaking, and writing... I’ve never been someone who could stick to just one path. But I’ve also never chased these things just for myself. I naturally think from the angle of, “How can this help someone else?” That mindset led me to start ESPOIR, a platform for mental health and youth mentorship, and it’s also what pushed me into spaces like the UN, UNICEF, and other community roles.

If I had to point out something unique about me, it’s that I rarely put myself first. Even in situations where I probably should’ve, it just doesn’t cross my mind. I find more meaning behind the scenes, helping others shine or feel seen. And when I’m not doing all of that, you’ll probably find me sketching, talking to students, or just enjoying quiet moments that spark creativity.

What inspired you to create ESPOIR, and what impact do you hope it has on youth?

Creating ESPOIR was never about ticking a box or building an organisation just for the sake of it – it came from a place of pain, reflection, and deep need. I’ve seen the world around me fall apart in so many ways. Tragedies. Injustice. People suffering silently while pretending they’re okay. And somewhere in all of that... I was one of them.

I’ve personally gone through some dark phases – depression, isolation, being diagnosed with OCD, and feeling completely abandoned by the people I thought would stay. For a long time, I felt like I was screaming inside, but no one was really listening. I was always the one offering help, but never the one people checked in on. That feeling of being unheard, unseen – it changes you.

Even when I tried to give back by working with NGOs and being part of social causes, I constantly felt like I was being held back. Like my intentions were questioned, my voice filtered, or my ideas were “too much.” I reached a point where I knew I needed to build something of my own. Something real. Something raw.

That’s how ESPOIR was born – a safe space where young people can come as they are, without fear of judgment or rejection. I want it to be a place where someone who feels like they’re “too broken” or “too much” can finally feel like they belong. A space where silence is broken, healing begins, and no one ever has to walk alone again.

How do you combine psychology and art in your approach to healing?

For me, the connection between psychology and art wasn’t something I planned or studied first – it was something I lived. Art was my escape when nothing else made sense. It gave me a way to breathe when reality felt too harsh, when the pain was too loud, and when I had no one to talk to. Every sketch, every painting, every piece I created was a silent scream, a release, or a way to make sense of what I was feeling but couldn’t put into words.

When I started studying psychology, it hit me how many people carry emotional weight they don’t know how to express, especially young people. That’s when I realised art could be more than just a personal escape. It could become a powerful tool for healing. So I started blending the two, using creative expression as a doorway into deeper emotional work. Sometimes a drawing opens up more than a conversation ever could.

Whether it’s through colours, metaphors, journaling, or visual storytelling, I’ve seen how art can help people explore their inner world in a way that feels safe and natural. It creates space for honesty without pressure. That’s the core of how I bring art into psychology – it’s not just about expression, it’s about connection, reflection, and healing. Because if it helped me survive the worst parts of myself and my life, I know it can do the same for someone else.

What’s one powerful lesson you've learned from working with global organizations like UNESCO or UNICEF?

One of the most powerful lessons I’ve learned through working with organizations like UNV, UNESCO and UNICEF is this: never lose hope, always be kind, and never give up on people. No matter how broken a situation seems – whether it's poverty, trauma, or injustice – there’s always a spark of resilience in people. You just have to believe in it, even when they can’t see it in themselves.

Being part of global initiatives showed me that change doesn’t always come in big, loud moments. Sometimes it comes in quiet, consistent efforts – the kind words, the patient listening, the belief that every individual deserves dignity and support. I’ve seen how just showing up with compassion can create a ripple effect. It reminded me that no one is ever too far gone to be helped, and no act of kindness is ever too small to matter.

That belief now shapes everything I do – whether I’m counselling a young person, leading a community project, or simply offering a moment of support. You never know when your presence might be someone’s turning point.

As a mentor and speaker, what message do you most often share with young people?

The message I share with young people, again and again, is this: You are not broken. You are becoming.

I say it because I know what it feels like to believe that your pain defines you. To carry silent battles, to wake up feeling invisible, to think you're too much or not enough. I’ve lived that silence. I’ve sat in rooms full of people and still felt completely alone. And I’ve learned that the deepest healing doesn’t come from pretending to be okay – it comes from honouring where you are and knowing you don’t have to stay there forever.

I try to be the voice I once needed: someone who reminds them that it’s okay to feel lost, to fall apart, to be unsure. That strength isn’t always loud or bold – sometimes it’s quiet survival. Sometimes it’s choosing not to give up when giving up seems easier. I tell them that healing is not a race, and becoming who you're meant to be doesn’t happen overnight. It’s messy. It's uncomfortable. But it’s also incredibly brave.

And above all, I remind them this: There is nothing weak about asking for help. There is nothing shameful about needing time. You are still worthy, even in your lowest moments.

Because the truth is, no matter how dark it feels, you are never too far from the light. And sometimes, all it takes is one person believing in you... until you learn to believe in yourself. If I can be that person, even for a moment – that’s all I need.

How has your experience in the social work shaped your mental health advocacy?

My experience in social work didn’t just shape my mental health advocacy – it gave it purpose and urgency. Working directly with people from different walks of life, I’ve seen how mental health is often the most neglected part of someone’s well-being, especially in communities that are already struggling with poverty, trauma, or social stigma. You begin to realize that people aren't just fighting battles, they’re carrying entire wars within them, silently.

Through social work, I learned to truly listen. Not to respond, not to fix, but to understand. I met people who had never had the space to express their pain, people who were dismissed, labelled, or ignored. And I saw how life-changing it can be when someone simply says, “I hear you. I see you. You matter.” That’s when I knew mental health advocacy isn’t just about awareness, it’s about access, compassion, and creating safe spaces that allow people to be human without fear or shame.

It also made me painfully aware of the systemic gaps – how often people are denied help because they don’t “look” like they’re struggling, or because their trauma doesn’t fit into neat boxes. That frustration is what fuels my advocacy today. I speak up for the ones who are still quiet. I create platforms like ESPOIR because I’ve seen firsthand what happens when someone doesn’t get the support they need, and I refuse to let that silence continue.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to turn their passion into purpose-driven work?

If you want to turn your passion into purpose-driven work, start by getting brutally honest with yourself – not just about what excites you, but about why it matters to you. Purpose doesn’t come from chasing recognition or doing what looks good on paper. It comes from your lived experiences, your pain, your healing, your joy – the things that moved you so deeply, you had to do something about it.

My advice? Begin small, begin messy, but begin real. Don’t wait until you have it all figured out. When I started ESPOIR, I had no perfect plan. What I had was the memory of being alone, misunderstood, and silenced, and the fire to make sure someone else didn’t have to feel that way. That fire was enough to build something meaningful.

Also, don’t be afraid of the quiet moments – the times when your work feels invisible, or people don’t understand what you’re trying to do. Purpose-driven work isn’t always loud or glamorous. It’s about showing up, even when it’s hard. It’s about staying connected to the people you're trying to serve, even when systems or voices try to drown you out.

Lastly, protect your passion. The world can be harsh, and not everyone will believe in what you do – but if it’s rooted in truth and compassion, it will reach the people who need it. Just keep going. Purpose grows when you keep choosing it, one day at a time.

Tell us about your greatest career achievement so far.

Honestly, I don’t view anything in my career as a definitive achievement. Not because I haven’t had moments that mattered, but because I believe calling something the "greatest" can sometimes stop us from pushing forward. I don’t really celebrate my wins the way most people do – for me, they’re checkpoints, not destinations.

That said, I’ve had a few meaningful breakthroughs. Founding ESPOIR was one of them, not just because I created a platform, but because I created a space I wish I had growing up. Being invited to collaborate with global organizations like UNICEF, UNESCO, and the UNV was also powerful, because it allowed me to bring mental health into conversations that needed it the most.

Serving as Chief Organiser for the Chennai Youth Assembly,Secretary of Rotract Club being a speaker at Lions Club, mentoring students,becoming an Author and being trusted in leadership roles like Advisor to few NGO’s being the Student Union Chairperson of University of Portsmouth and also my future project as the Chief Psychologist in e-hospital – all these have been moments of quiet impact. They didn’t come with applause, but they felt real. And to me, that’s what matters most – building something that lasts beyond recognition.

If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be and why?

If I could change one thing about the mental health and social work industry, it would be the lack of deep, human understanding – the kind that sees beyond symptoms and diagnoses, and into the lived reality of people who are hurting. There’s still so much stigma, silence, and ignorance around mental health, especially for those affected by discrimination, poverty, war, or systemic injustice. People are expected to survive impossible things and still be "functional," without ever being asked if they’re okay.

I speak from experience. As a child, I was bedridden and physically unwell for a long time. That period shaped my relationship with pain early on. I learned what it meant to feel trapped in your own body. I grew up too fast. Maturity didn’t come by choice – it came because I had to face things no child should. And just when I thought I’d made it through, life threw more at me. Depression. OCD. Loneliness. Being left behind by people I loved, not because they didn’t care, but because they didn’t understand.

They weren’t educated on how to hold space for someone struggling mentally. And that, in my eyes, is a failure of the world, not them. The world never taught them how.

So I had to become my own healer, my own listener, my own safe place. I had to fight battles most people couldn’t see, while building the strength to one day be the person I needed. That’s why I advocate the way I do. That’s why I founded ESPOIR – to be the space I never had. If we want real change in this field, we have to stop treating mental health like a checklist. We need to teach empathy. We need to understand pain in all its forms. Because no one should have to suffer and educate the world at the same time just to be seen.

Tell us about a pivotal moment in your life that brought you to where you are today.

A pivotal moment in my life was when I hit one of my darkest lows, struggling deeply with depression and OCD, feeling completely isolated and unheard. It wasn’t just the internal battle, but the painful experience of offering help to others while feeling like no one was checking in on me. That silence, that feeling of invisibility, broke something inside me but also sparked a fire.

I’m deeply grateful for everything I was thrown at in my life – every challenge and setback that I had to come back through. Those experiences shaped my strength and resilience in ways I never expected. I’m especially thankful for my parents, who stood by me with such quiet strength, giving me the space I needed to heal and grow. My sisters were always there, walking beside me with unwavering support, and my few really good friends were the ones who truly stayed by my side during the hardest times.

In that space of pain and loneliness, I realized I couldn’t keep waiting for someone else to create the support I needed. I had to build it myself. That’s when ESPOIR was born – not as a polished organization, but as a raw, honest space where young people could feel seen and heard without judgment.

This moment changed everything because it shifted me from surviving in silence to actively creating hope and connection for others. It taught me the power of vulnerability and the importance of safe spaces, and it set me on the path of using my own experiences as fuel to help others heal and grow. Without that turning point, and without the love and strength of my family and friends, I wouldn’t be who I am today – leading ESPOIR, working with global organizations, and standing up for mental health with deep empathy and purpose.

Follow me on Instagram and visit my LinkedIn for more info!

Read more from Kiran Reddy