Mental health problems rising in educational institutions
An increasing number of student suicides highlighted the lack of counseling services in public schools and universities designed to help with students’ mental health problems.
Experts believe that educational institutions across the country focus entirely on numbers and pay little attention to the negative effects such intense competition has on students’ mental health.
In addition, financial problems, problems at home and bullying in institutions also weigh on students, and experts believe that it is necessary to give them an outlet in the form of consultants. Students agree with this sentiment.
Haris Baloch, from Quetta and a university student in Lahore, believed that mental health in the country was considered a taboo subject and institutions would side with this view.
“During the corona pandemic, for example, I went into a downward spiral due to financial problems. However, there was no one in college I could turn to, “recalls Baloch, adding that other students like him who are not with their families would also like to be able to sit down with a counselor and talk about their problems to talk. Neelum Faqir, one Peshawar student who also teaches part-time, agrees.
Mental health problems rising in educational institutions
“Teachers and parents just look to see if their child gets the highest grades. They don’t care about the mental problems the child might go through.” Faqir further said that in his teaching experience he has seen that when students cannot communicate their problems to anyone, they close off emotionally as well as mentally.
It is high time to start focusing and tending to the mental health needs of students immediately, otherwise it will pave the way for a mental health crisis of gross proportions
