Students' mental health |
A microscopic view of the youth bulge will reveal its fractures. Whether it's a girl jumping from a hostel balcony, a candidate sobbing on the bench outside the classroom, a boy locking himself in before an exam, a bright student disappearing into silence or someone escaping reality with drugs — all of these point towards the most urgent question: are our young people well?
Pakistan is one of the youngest countries in the world. Two-thirds of our population is under 30. Nearly 63 million are between 15 and 29. This generation will define Pakistan's economic productivity, political stability and social cohesion. But these statistics are plagued by the mental health crisis.
Today's Pakistani student grows up in a climate of relentless pressure. Academic competition is brutal. University admissions are scarce. Scholarships are limited. Jobs are fewer still. Every year, millions enter a labour market that cannot absorb them.
The World Bank estimates that over a third of those aged 15 to 24 are not in........