Mental Health Crisis: They do not scream. They do not shatter. In fact, they have mastered the art of endurance so much so that the occasional ‘I am okay’ is entirely believable. They carry their burdens quietly, tucked away behind smiles that stretch a little too wide. They conceal their struggles. Remaining silent or saying a simple ‘I am fine’ appears to be easier than unravelling a truth that cannot be understood by many because the world still confuses suffering with weakness and survival with success.
In a country where embodying resilience is not a choice but one’s whole survival kit, these feelings go unnoticed — suppressed and trapped away beneath a facade of strength, on the verge of being triggered. In Pakistan, stigma and taboo still envelop conversations about mental health. People still mistake a young adult’s anxiety for weakness and a child’s unhappiness for disobedience. In a society where honour and reputation are valued above all, vulnerability is looked down upon. Hence, the youth are struggling to navigate through the pressures of meeting the tough standards that are set before them.
This mental health epidemic is a result of a web of expectations arising from cultural values, academic pressure and economic uncertainty, amongst other factors. Cultural traditions are meant to foster one’s identity and belonging, but if they get too rigid and uncompromising, they may take a toll on one’s emotional well-being. On the other hand, success has a very straightforward and narrow definition in many people’s minds. Perfect grades and admission into a ‘reputable’ and ‘academically challenging’ career field, such as medicine or engineering, is the only way to secure your future and be ‘successful’ according to many Pakistani households. This leaves no space for one’s creative explorations and aspirations, triggering their inner turmoil. With rising inflation rates and overpopulation, stable job opportunities are diminishing, leaving a feeling of failure and apprehension to envelop individuals in its grip. As a result, emotions of stress, anxiety and burnout become all too relevant amongst this generation.
If they ever dare to speak about their battles, they are immediately shunned into silence with a disapproving look and are strictly told to toughen themselves up to face the reality of the world, or they are just given a simple, unbothered ‘Sab theek hojaye ga’ (Everything will be okay). Therefore, seeking professional help from a therapist is not an option in these types of households.
Yet, one should remember that nothing is impossible. Taking certain actions can change the misconceptions people have, such as that showing vulnerability is a sign of defeat or imperfection.
Social media campaigns and support groups should be more common. Proper counselling arrangements in educational institutions should be made, creating safe places for the youth to rant and talk their heart out, without any fear of judgement. ‘Sab theek hojaye ga’ should not just be a phrase spoken in the height of the moment; it must be a promise to listen to people with understanding and support. Because only then would the unspoken pains they carry hidden behind those smiles begin to lighten, and the quiet challenges abate with the attention and compassion they deserve.