India is a country with a massive youth population. As per Statista, about 67.5% of India’s population comes under the age group of 15-64. But, today, the country is witnessing a concerning rise in mental health issues among young individuals. The pressures of modern life, academic stress, societal expectations, and the impact of technology have contributed to a growing mental health crisis among the youth. This is getting to be a great problem for the whole country. So, it becomes really important for us to understand this problem and the possible solutions for it. In this article, we will delve into looking at the state of mental health among Indian youth, explore the challenges they face, and advocate for greater awareness, support, and initiatives to address this critical issue.
Reasons Contributing to alleviate the Mental Health Condition of Youth
The Burden of Academic Pressure:
The Indian education system places a heavy emphasis on academic achievements. This leads to a state of intense competition among students. The peer pressure from family and relatives also contributes to this stress. Also, the parents comparing their children with that of others, creates an additional stress in the mind of the children. The constant pressure to excel in exams and secure a promising future can result in anxiety, depression, and burnout.
Stigma and Lack of Awareness:
Despite the rising mental health concerns, there remains a significant stigma associated with seeking help for mental health issues in India. Many young individuals hesitate to discuss their struggles due to fear of judgement and societal taboos. Also, in India, mental sickness is not taken seriously by people. Hence even if the people show some symptoms of certain mental illness, they are left untreated. Another reason, people in India usually look down on people suffering from mental illness. Hence, people try to hide their mental problems out of shame instead of getting treated for it. The lack of awareness about mental health compounds the problem, making it challenging for those in need to access timely support.
The widespread use of social media and technology has profoundly affected the mental health of Indian youth. Cyberbullying, online harassment, and constant comparison with others on social platforms contribute to feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and loneliness. Small kids are exposed to content inappropriate for their age, and this can result in some mental issues in future. Also, things like online dating, honey trapping etc. can lead to problems like stress, depression, anxiety etc. in youngsters.
Family and Peer Pressure:
Family and peer expectations can significantly impact the mental health of Indian youth. Parents in India usually lay emphasis on marks and scores in academics. They do not look to non-academic career options. Hence, the students are pressured to score good marks and rank higher. Usually non-academic career options are looked down upon in society. Pressure to conform to societal norms and fulfil familial aspirations can lead to stress and a sense of identity crisis.
Urban-Rural Disparities:
Mental health resources are often concentrated in urban areas. This leaves rural youth with limited access to support and services. The rural areas in India do not have access to psychiatrists or places of mental health counsels. Also, the amount of professional help available in India is very expensive, hence unattainable to the poor. The lack of mental health infrastructure in rural regions exacerbates mental health issues among vulnerable populations.
Relationship Strain and Loneliness:
Youth are navigating complex relationships. And the strain of modern relationships can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation. The lack of healthy communication and emotional support can contribute to mental health challenges.
Substance Abuse and Addiction:
Amidst the struggles and stress, some youth turn to substance abuse as a coping mechanism. Students can get acquainted with these substances due to many factors. And once they get acquainted with them, it does not take much time for them to get addicted to it. Substance addiction further compounds mental health problems and can lead to a cycle of despair.
Impact of the Pandemic:
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought additional mental health challenges to Indian youth. Lockdowns, disruptions in routine, uncertainty about the future, and the loss of loved ones have triggered heightened anxiety and depression.
Addressing the Challenges
Enhancing Mental Health Education:
Incorporate mental health education and awareness programs into school curriculums to destigmatize mental health issues and promote early intervention. In urban areas, there are schools which have professional psychiatrists who can help the students in case of any mental issue. Apart from this, schools also need to teach the students about the common mental health issues and psychological problems.
Expanding Mental Health Services:
Increase the availability of mental health services in both urban and rural areas through the establishment of mental health clinics, counselling centres, and helplines. As the rural areas in India have the lack of availability of psychiatrists, the government needs to focus on this problem. Also, the available help is very costly, hence, most people in India cannot afford it. So, the government needs to check the pricing of these places so it can be accessible to all.
Encouraging Open Dialogue:
Promote open conversations about mental health within families, schools, and communities to create a supportive environment where youth feel comfortable seeking help. The main reason for youth suffering from mental problems is due to lack of conversation about it. Parents do not take mental health seriously in India. Also, the people suffering from mental problems hesitate in talking about it due to shame. This needs to be checked.
Training Educators and Healthcare Professionals:
Provide training to educators and healthcare professionals to recognize signs of mental health distress and offer appropriate support to students and youth. If teachers and educators are aware of mental health problems, they can guide the students suffering from mental problems.
Integrating Telemedicine:
Leverage telemedicine to provide remote mental health support, especially in underserved areas, and enhance accessibility to counselling services. By this way, people living in remote areas where mental healthcare facilities are not available; can also get professional help for mental health issues.
Implementing Workplace Mental Health Programs:
Encourage employers to implement workplace mental health programs that focus on stress management, work-life balance, and employee well-being. Like schools, corporate places should also have a psychological professional who can help the employees suffering from mental health issues in workplaces.
Raising Awareness through Media:
Media plays a vital role in shaping public perceptions. Utilise media platforms to raise awareness about mental health issues, dispel myths, and encourage help-seeking behaviour. Media, internet and other means of mass communication can be very helpful in raising awareness among people. By this way people can be made aware of the problems pertaining to mental health.
Providing Peer Support:
Promote peer support programs where trained young individuals can offer emotional support and guidance to their peers facing mental health challenges.
Conclusion:
The state of mental health among Indian youth is a matter of urgent concern. The burden of academic pressure, stigma, technology’s impact, family and peer expectations, urban-rural disparities, relationship strain, substance abuse, and the pandemic have collectively contributed to the crisis. And in India, where already due to the social image of making mental health problems a taboo in India, which further elevates this issue. To address this issue, there is a pressing need for increased awareness, destigmatization, and improved access to mental health services across the country. By enhancing mental health education, expanding mental health services, promoting open dialogue, and providing necessary support, we can create a healthier and more supportive environment for Indian youth. Together, we can work towards breaking the barriers to mental health support and ensure that our young generation receives the care and understanding they deserve to thrive emotionally, mentally, and socially.Title: The State of Mental Health of Youth in India: Understanding the Challenges and Seeking Solutions.
