Sitting in his hostel room, Ahmed contemplated how life had changed in the blink of an eye. The energy of the morning, the enthusiasm of university and the joy in gatherings had slowly faded into a distant memory.

He stared into the dressing mirror, trying to recognise who he had become. The face was the same. But the eyes felt hollower, the smile forced and the appearance tired.

But this isn’t just the story of Ahmed.

According to a 2023 study, over 60 percent of Pakistani university students report symptoms of anxiety and depression. Between deadlines, deadlocks and deadlifts, teenagers struggle to survive challenges their parents never imagined.

Perhaps the saddest dilemma isn’t the increased intensity of stress and depression, but the rising trend of appearing brave and immune to life’s challenges. People post Instagram stories of friendly meetups in the day while spending depressive episodes at night. Speaking out is considered a sign of defeat, cowardice and childishness.

Deadlines, expectations and constant comparisons — for many students, stress is no longer occasional, it’s a daily routine

A study published in the Journal of Pakistan Medical Association reports that 43 percent of medical students had depression and the majority never sought treatment. Maybe the problem isn’t the disease, but the wrong diagnosis.

And this whole vicious cycle of stress and storm doesn’t begin in a day. Rather, it is a cumulative outcome of unmet expectations, unexpected failures and repeated setbacks.

It often starts with academic withdrawal — getting lower marks in assignments, failing to match up with the class and losing concentration in lectures. Often, it is attributed to the growing intensity of studies. Few understand that it’s not studies that have become unmanageable, but the threshold for handling study-related stress and pressure is being pushed beyond its limits.

The second phase begins when those around us start to sense the mental strain. Like any other illness, depression begins to widen its sphere of influence. There’s a dinner dispute, an obvious misunderstanding and an ignorable mood swing.

Family members start noticing attitude changes, often blaming the university lifestyle. Arguments between siblings become more frequent and heated. Family dinners are reduced to greetings and formal exchanges. Teens begin to lose trust in parents, consulting them less often.

Then, the student starts to normalise and adapt to the situation, accepting that perhaps fate was always against them. That is when the condition progresses to a stage of inner defeat and destruction.

From the outside, everything seems fine. But on the inside, the person is falling apart. The enthusiasm of youth, the energy in events and the confidence in one’s stride fade into obscurity.

Till when will this cycle repeat? How many more students will fall victim to this stigma?

Maybe it is time for things to change. Every change begins at an individual level. Students need to understand the importance of speaking up, of emotional health and well-being, and of directing their energies towards self-care. Awareness campaigns and webinars should be organised, helping the youth realise that stress is a silent struggle many face, but strength lies in resilience and seeking help.

Moving on, parents and society also need to play their part. Having walked this path, they should be more understanding, approachable and supportive, acknowledging the increasing pressure on youth due to the demands of university, careers and their future.

Then comes the role of institutions. Unfortunately, there is a painful gap between decision-makers and those who bear the consequences. Assignments are often irregularly scheduled without clear justification, creating unnecessary pressure. In many universities, the marking systems are inconsistent, leading to unfair evaluation. The increasing study load distances students from healthy extracurricular activities, even when opportunities exist.

Ahmed is still staring into the mirror, waiting for someone to place a hand on his shoulder. Every one of us needs to play our role. If there is nothing else we can do, at least we can ask someone, “Are you okay?”

Because sometimes, speaking up isn’t enough — offering a space for someone to share their thoughts matters just as much.

Published in Dawn, Young World, May 9th, 2026