Navigating the Pressures Shaping Youth Mental Health: A Discussion

A discussion with Dr Arvind Otta, a psychologist, and Mayank Mishra, a career counsellor, brings the viewers’ attention to the growing problem of peer pressure among young people in India, in a conversation with Journalist Tabish Hussain from NDTV. In a survey conducted by Aditya Birla Education Trust, the mental health service initiative EMPOWER was used. The study found that 67% of students feel pressured by studies, careers and competition. Dr. Otta and Mayank Mishra discuss the causes and with it.

What Causes this Peer Pressure

According to Mayank Mishra, increased screen time, social isolation, and competition play an important role in stress among students. He points out that increased screen time can lead to isolation, which exacerbates stress among students. In today’s age, students spend more time on screen, not just for studying but also for social interaction. Hence, actual face-to-face interaction with our parents, our teachers and our peers has been reduced. This reduction in face-to-face interaction may lead to social isolation.

Spending more time online can lead students to feel disconnected from real-world relationships, which heightens the sense of loneliness and isolation. According to Twenge and colleagues (2017), adolescents who tend to spend more time on screen experience greater feelings of isolation and have a much higher risk of depression and anxiety. Apart from this, constant exposure to social media can also fuel comparisons with peers.

The interviewer points out that even though in today’s time, there is a diverse and broad range of career parts, the competition and stress are not decreasing. Mishra responded by highlighting two key reasons for that. Number one is the limited seats in the institutions and a limited number of lucrative jobs. For example, in highly competitive fields, such as medicine, engineering or civil services, top universities have a very limited number of seats while the demand for students continues to rise. An article by Agrawal (2006) highlights how this limited seat capacity and higher number of applicants in the top universities create a very stressful environment for students where they feel immense pressure to excel in examinations to get into top universities such as IIT and AIIMS.

Another reason for this is the higher parental expectations. Both parents and students have high expectations which can sometimes add a new layer of pressure. When these high expectations, whether due to academic struggles or personal difficulties, are not fulfilled, the person may feel very overwhelmed, and it might also cause them to have low self-esteem. A study by Topor et al. (2010) highlighted that parent’s pressure on children to perform well is one of the most significant sources of stress among students. This stress becomes even more pronounced when students are studying abroad as they might also feel disconnected from their home culture and have fewer social support networks.

Moving forward, Dr Otta provides the viewers with insight into how globalisation, materialism, competition and lack of mental health services tend to increase the mental health challenges faced by students. With globalisation and social media, they are exposed to a greater pool of students not just in their own countries, but in other countries as well. The constant comparison with other people from different countries and cultures, as well as social and economic backgrounds, raises the expectation for success and increases stress. Social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn are commonly bombarded with the achievements of others, leading to social comparison and stress. Young people often compare their own lives with those of their peers, especially the ones who appear to be more successful or happier. This creates the pressure to constantly improve and outdo others contributing to the mental strain. This constant comparison through social media also tends to negatively affect the individual’s subjective well-being (Kross et al. 2023).

In today’s time, students place a greater value on material position and external achievements. Many young people and students measure their worth through the things that they own and the goals that they achieve. Attaining degrees from prestigious institutions, securing hyping jobs or purchasing luxury items are valued more in society. Researchers have found that individuals who pay higher value to material goals are more likely to experience

lower well-being, higher levels of anxiety and depression, and also reduced life satisfaction (Kasser and Ryan, 1996).

A very small proportion of students have access to mental health services in India. On top of that, the taboo and stigma associated with mental health deters students from accessing help if they need it. People seeking help for mental health are judged or seen as “weak” or “mentally unstable.” Dr Arvind‘s point is reinforced by research that indicates that a lack of mental health literacy is also a significant barrier to seeking help in India.
Apart from the stigma and lack of mental health literacy, mental health services are also highly limited in developing countries like India.

WHO Mental Health Atlas (2017) reports that India has one of the lowest ratios of mental health professionals per capita. This means that even if students want to seek access to qualified professionals is highly limited. The cohort of factors, increased materialism, reduction of social time, limited mental health services, parental expectations, and globalisation, provide a comprehensive view of the challenges faced by students in India. All these factors contribute to the stresses that affect young people’s mental health.

How to Cope With the Increasing Pressure?

These techniques help to build resilience, mental health, awareness, and support systems for young people.

• Set Realistic Expectations: Sitting unrealistically high expectations can lead to feelings of inadequacy and frustration. A study by Curran and Hill (2019) found that college students in the recent decade tend to have a higher level of perfectionism due to societal pressure. These students are more likely to experience psychological distress. Hence, instead of aiming at perfectionism, young students should focus on realistic expectations and attainable goals. Accepting the mistakes is part of the learning process and can relieve pressure and promote better mental health.
• Focusing On Your Own Goals: Many students tend to feel pressured by the expectations of their parents, teachers, or peers, but prioritising others’ desires and expectations of needs. The feelings of loss of autonomy and identity. Focusing on self-directed goals allows an individual to feel a sense of control over their lives and also reduce external pressure and foster personal growth.
• Build a Support System: Building a strong support system is very important for emotional resilience. Having positive relationships with family, friends and mentors can encourage and help individuals to navigate stressful situations. Social support systems also act as a buffer against any negative effects of stress.
• Take Breaks: Taking regular breaks is very crucial for maintaining mental and physical health. The continuous pressure without any regular breaks can cause burnout, fatigue, and cognitive overload. A study by Albulescu et al. (2022) reported that taking breaks during stressful periods is likely to improve well-being, enhance concentration and greater productivity. Breaks allow the brain to recharge, reducing mental fatigue and stress. Activities such as mindfulness or short physical exercise are also ineffective in reducing stress.
• Seeking professional help: if students are feeling overwhelmed by peer pressure or stress, seeking professional help from a counsellor or therapist can be very important. It is crucial to raise awareness and reduce stigma surrounding mental health services, particularly in countries like India where seeking help is often viewed negatively.

Read More: Thrive, Don’t Just Survive: The Power of Therapy in Everyday Life

In essence, pressure, competition, and social expectations are the major stresses for young people in India. These stressors are even exacerbated by social media, focus on material gain and limited mental health access. Addressing these issues is very crucial. Certain pieces of advice suggested by the experts are setting realistic expectations focusing on taking breaks, building a strong social sports system and increasing access to mental healthcare can significantly impact the individual’s mental well-being.