KARACHI:
Mental health awareness remains very limited in our society. People can openly discuss their physical illnesses, yet they often ignore their mental health problems. Many individuals fear that if they share their emotional struggles, people will judge them, misunderstand them, or label them “mad”. Because of this fear, they suffer in silence — and this silence can be extremely dangerous, especially for young people.
In younger generations, particularly Generation Z and Generation Alpha, mental health challenges are becoming increasingly common. Many young people struggle with depression, stress, anxiety, emotional pressure and loneliness. According to the World Health Organization, more than 720,000 people die by suicide every year, and mental health struggles are considered one of the major causes behind these tragic deaths.
In Pakistan, the lack of awareness and proper support systems has made the situation worse. Many schools and communities do not provide education or guidance regarding mental health. As a result, people continue to ignore emotional suffering until it seriously affects their lives and physical health.
Mental health is not a joke, and people suffering from depression, stress or anxiety are not weak. They are human beings carrying invisible pain and emotional burdens. A strong nation is not built only by physically strong people, but also by mentally healthy and emotionally supported individuals.
Sachan M Siddique
Gidroshia
