Youth Mental Health: A Silent Crisis
Across the world, young people are suffering from a growing crisis: the mental health crisis. Problems like depression, anxiety, trauma, and self-harm are rising rapidly among the young generation. These problems are often ignored, and governments do not pay much attention to them. I am writing this as an Afghan girl who grew up amid wars. I have seen this pain closely, and I have lived through trauma myself. When the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021, I lost my school, my dreams, and my freedom. Many girls like me and I went through depression, but some of us didn’t even know what it was, because no one really talks about mental health. For youth like me, this is not just a mental issue, it is also an issue of justice and peace. Youth mental health is a current global crisis, but governments are doing nothing to reduce it. According to a UNICEF report, half of all mental health problems begin by age 14, and most remain untreated. In some countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan, this issue is not even discussed. It is not taken as a real issue. Many people still believe that talking about mental problems is shameful. There is no effective system for treating or identifying the youth who suffer from depression or trauma. I have seen how youth are treated in such societies, especially girls. They are always told to stay silent and hide their struggles and pain. No one really cares if they are breaking down inside.
In the modern world, young people suffer mentally and emotionally from different issues, yet there is no plan to heal them. It is not just a problem for individuals, because if people and communities do not pay attention to it, the whole future will be put at risk. We must recognize that mental health is not a luxury; it is a basic human need, especially for the young generation. In conservative societies like Afghanistan and Pakistan, when a young girl or boy suffers from a mental issue, they are often told to pray more, be grateful, or just stay quiet. I say this because I have seen it myself. It is the silence that makes things worse for young people. In war zones, this issue is even more ignored and not taken seriously, because governments are focused more on their survival and controlling power, not on healing the minds of people or their struggles. In my own journey, I have seen girls lose the ability to speak, lose interest in life, and stop trusting. These things were not due to physical problems but to mental health problems. Even today, many youth, especially girls, suffer from this situation, and no one really supports them. This is a global problem, affecting youth everywhere, especially through social media, climate-change anxiety, wars, and isolation after COVID-19.
It is always said that youth are the future. How can youth lead the future if they are not mentally well in the present?
To solve this serious problem, especially in conservative societies like Afghanistan, I suggest two important things that should go together: first, building a strong mental health support system for young people, and second, helping youth support each other. This means creating free mental health centers in every province so youth can access them. There should also be national campaigns called “You Are Not Alone” to spread awareness through media. In this way, families will understand that mental health issues are not shameful but common among youth. Teachers and mothers should be trained to recognize the signs of mental health problems. Support groups should also be created where young people can talk and express their feelings freely. Lastly, international organizations should support a Global Mental Health Justice Program, led by youth from countries affected by war and poverty. These steps can bring real hope, help youth heal, and build a better, kinder future.
Most global conversations are about wars over land, politics, religion, or power. But for many young people, the real war is inside themselves, a war of fear, sadness, and silence that no one can truly see. As an Afghan girl who experienced depression and was ignored, I want to use my voice for those who are still silent. If we truly care about the future, we must care about the hearts and minds of the young generation who will shape it. Let policy be the first step toward healing, toward justice, and toward a world where no young person has to endure their pain alone.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance, policies, or official position of The Spine Times.
