Echo of the Unspoken: Navigating semesters and minds

Have you ever felt an indescribable unrest inside you?
Have you ever felt that you were drowning in a void?
Have you ever felt a state where you can’t express or explain what is happening inside you, even to your closest ones?
If the answer is ‘Yes’, then you are reading the right article!
These are some reflections of our inner selves that necessitate the study of our mental health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), ‘mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with stress’. In simple words, mental health is a multifaceted concept encompassing our emotional, psychological, and social well-being that influences how we think, feel, and behave and plays a crucial role in determining how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Again, a question may arise: ‘Despite there being lots of age and social categories, why am I talking about university students specifically?’

University students are at a crossroads in life where they go through a significant number of transitions. Leaving home, forming new relationships, and facing academic pressure can result in anxiety, stress, and isolation. This mental vulnerability makes them particularly susceptible to mental health challenges. According to The Daily Star, more than 75% of university-level students suffer from mental health issues in Bangladesh. The isolated days of COVID-19 only added to this number. Uncertainty and fear surrounding the pandemic, lockdowns and social distancing, financial difficulties, anxieties about tuition fees, and an undetermined academic future are some of the significant challenges brought to student society by the pandemic. But surprisingly, the roots of this crisis lie deeper and are woven into the fabric of Bangladeshi societal and academic culture.
The pressure to excel in a competitive academic environment that is coupled with the fear of failure and session jams takes a big toll on students’ mental well-being. The rigid, exam-driven system leaves little to no room for holistic development, neglecting the emotional and social needs of these young adults.
As per the culture of our country, students remain dependent on their family, especially their parents, until higher secondary education. But as he or she steps foot at the university, the parents tend to give them a huge level of independence that also brings responsibility to take care of themselves. This combination of sudden independence and responsibility brings a lot of challenges to the students. As a result, they grapple with uncertainty, anxiety, stress, and most commonly, the labyrinth of “What should I do?”.Sometimes, new places and new faces also have a great impact on the mental health of university students. University life brings peer pressure. Choosing the right buddy or friend group becomes a struggle. “What will others think?” “Will they like me the way I am?” and “Am I wrong for having my boundaries?” are some of the questions that cross through their unresting minds. In addition, there is the new term “Social Media Anxiety”, which results in loneliness, stress, and anxiety.
The stigma surrounding mental health remains a significant barrier to seeking help because of the societal perception of mental illness as a weakness or taboo. Cultural norms and societal attitudes regarding mental health discussions remain a significant barrier that leads many students to suffer in silence rather than seeking professional assistance. In our country, those who are suffering are undermined, ignored, and ridiculed by simply being told to “get over it,” “it’s nothing to worry about,” or “take Napa!”. It not only prevents students from openly discussing their struggles but also leads to isolation and a sense of shame. Unfortunately, still in 2024, access to professional mental health support within universities is often inadequate in our country. So a lot of students do not get any or the adequate amount of help that they need. Nonetheless, financial constraints add another layer of complexity. Many students struggle to afford proper mental health care, which further exacerbates their anxieties and stress and hinders their proper diagnosis of mental health and recovery.
The consequences of neglecting mental health are extensive. The stigma surrounding mental health not only dissuades individuals from seeking help but also perpetuates misconceptions. Due to the negligence of mental health, students grappling with depression, anxiety, and stress struggle to focus on their studies, which impact their academic performance. In severe cases, these issues lead to self-harm, substance abuse, and even suicide. DGHS’s report showing a higher suicide rate among university students supports the statement.
To prevent any more far-reaching damage to the crucial building blocks of our nation and address mental health challenges in universities, a multifaceted approach involving collaboration between educational institutions, policymakers, mental health professionals, and community stakeholders is suggested. This includes expanding mental health services, launching mental health awareness campaigns, integrating holistic well-being approaches, training student mentors, developing mobile apps, and equipping university staff with basic mental health awareness and recognition skills. This approach will help break down stereotypes, promote positive messaging, and provide accessible, culturally sensitive therapy options. We need to understand that, though our body does the work, our mind is the one that commands it. Again, the youth, our university students, are the future of our beloved country. As the mental health situation of our university students is in an alarming situation right now, it’s high time to prioritize mental health in the education sector before things get worse. We also need to understand the sufferings and fears of these young adults who are just preparing to face real-world challenges, be empathetic to them, and overall give them an attentive listener whom they can trust. This journey is not an individual burden but a collective responsibility. We can cultivate a future where every Bangladeshi university student thrives not just academically but also emotionally and holistically by working together with compassion, dedication, and unwavering hope.

Author- Nahidul Haque, Executive | Editorial, Voice of Business

Visual- Adnan Asif, Executive | Publication, Voice of Business