KARACHI:
Many students today experience mental health issues such as anxiety and depression due to academic pressures, societal expectations, and the absence of adequate support. The growing influence of the digital world and social media has compounded these challenges as people are constantly viewing others’ successes and achievements. This intensifies negative feelings as people compare themselves and their lives with those they see on the internet.
Poor awareness about mental health issues and the absence of widespread mental health support prevent the youth from sharing their feelings and thoughts with others. They suppress their negative feelings, which can often suffocate them and cause them to take drastic measures like suicide. In addition, educational institutes seldom promote extra-curricular activities such as sports, art, and literature. This means that the majority of the youth do not have access to healthy outlets to relieve their stress, anxiety, trauma, etc. They are caught in a vicious cycle of using social media as a coping mechanism, which only worsens their mental state.
Given the rising incidence of depression, suicide, and drug abuse amongst Pakistani youth, the relevant government departments should work with educational institutes to address the issue. Educational institutes should conduct character-building seminars and offer counselling to students and parents. Psychological and psychiatric support and rehabilitation services should be widely available and accessible to all. Given that the youth are the future nation-builders, we must protect them and the country’s future from a tragic ordeal.
Shahzaman Khosa
Dera Allah Yar
Published in The Express Tribune, February 24th, 2023.
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