People also need to stop degrading students, and appreciate their other talents they may possess
KARACHI: Mental health has become an important aspect of our lives because so many people suffer from its deterioration. Over the past few years, we often come across the tragic news of students who committed suicide because they could no longer bear the pressure their families placed on them, or live up to the expectations of society.
While numerous cases of suicide are reported, I vividly recall one where an 8th grader from Mardan took his own life due to constant pressure. His father would often threaten him for not scoring good marks in school, and the young student eventually could not withstand it.
Many students have committed suicide because of family pressure, constant taunts by relatives, and being compared with friends, along with other reasons. The reason behind this extreme step is a lack of communication between the child and the parents. Children are unable to express their feelings, especially what they want in their lives. In contrast, parents and teachers often do a lot of harm by constantly reiterating how important grades and societal standards of intelligence are.
People also need to stop degrading students, and appreciate their other talents they may possess. We must remember that scoring well in exams is not the only sign of intelligence and those who do not perform well in studies, are often talented in many other areas that are overlooked in our society. We must support our children and ensure they live healthy lives — mentally and physically.
Irteza Ahmed
Published in The Express Tribune, June 2nd, 2019.
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