KARACHI:
In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of students experiencing anxiety. The debilitating condition adversely affects their academic performance and overall well-being. Student life is meant to be a transformative period of personal and intellectual growth.
However, social anxiety often hinders students’ ability to engage with teachers and peers, participate in extracurricular activities, and form meaningful connections. This isolation not only affects their self-esteem but also undermines their educational experience limiting opportunities for collaboration and holistic development. Educational institutions and policymakers must prioritise mental health support services tailored to address social anxiety. Establishing counselling centres, organising awareness campaigns, and providing students with access to resources and strategies for coping with social anxiety can significantly reduce the issue.
By fostering an inclusive and supportive environment, we can empower students to overcome their fears and fully embrace the multitude of opportunities university life offers. We must acknowledge the far-reaching impact of social anxiety on the lives of university students in Pakistan. Let us work together to create an atmosphere that promotes empathy, understanding, and mental well-being among our future leaders.
Waleed Hassan
Lahore
Published in The Express Tribune, May 11th, 2023.
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