Students and young adults face growing emotional pressure from academic competition, social media comparisons, career uncertainty and family expectations. The article explores hidden signs of distress, the importance of listening and how therapy can support young people.
22 Sept 2026 | 15:04 Social media makes these comparisons difficult to escape. Because making a mistake feels unacceptable, some become perfectionists. Because they are careless, but because the fear of failure makes starting difficult, others keep postponing tasks, not necessarily.
Students and young adults nowadays are often called impatient, distracted or unwilling to handle pressure. When they struggle, they may hear, “We went through all this, too. But the world they are growing up in is changing rapidly. Academic competition, social media, career uncertainty and family expectations have created pressures that are not always visible. A student can score well, maintain friendships and appear cheerful while quietly battling anxiety, self-doubt or the fear of falling behind. For young people, success is no longer measured only by examination results. It can also mean securing the right internship, choosing a promising career, earning well and appearing successful online. One person gets into a prestigious college, another lands a job, while someone else appears to have life perfectly planned. What remains unseen are the setbacks behind those achievements. Over time, marks, appearance, productivity and external approval can begin shaping self-worth. Family expectations may add to this pressure, particularly when young people fear disappointing their parents. Not every struggling student looks unhappy. Emotional distress may appear as irritability, disturbed sleep, persistent headaches, difficulty concentrating or withdrawing from friends. As Dr Sharma pointed out, what appears to be procrastination or a lack of motivation may sometimes reflect feeling overwhelmed. This does not mean every stressful experience is a mental health disorder. However, persistent distress that affects everyday functioning should not be dismissed as a passing phase. One important distinction often gets missed: performing well and feeling well are not the same thing. A student may continue attending classes, completing assignments and meeting expectations while struggling emotionally. Parents and teachers may notice the achievements but overlook changes in behaviour. Instead of asking only about marks and future plans, families should also pay attention to sleep, friendships, mood and interest in everyday activities. The aim is not to remove every responsibility. It is to recognise when pressure has become difficult to manage. They may approach friends, siblings, teachers, parents or counsellors. But awareness alone is not enough. They also need people who can listen without immediately comparing their experiences or offering lectures. As Dr Sharma suggested, a simple response can make a difference: “I may not fully understand what you are going through, but I am here to listen. Parents can create space for honest conversations, while teachers can notice changes and encourage students to seek support. Friends, too, can offer companionship without trying to replace professional care. Counselling and psychotherapy can help young people understand their emotions, build coping skills and navigate difficult experiences. However, therapy is not a quick fix. As Dr Sharma explained, “Therapy often works best when a person feels safe, is willing to participate and takes the process seriously. It requires trust, time and collaboration between the therapist and the individual.
Young people today are often more comfortable discussing mental health than previous generations.
Hesitation should not be treated as unwillingness to improve. Some people need time to feel comfortable before discussing personal struggles. Depending on individual needs, professional care may involve counselling, psychotherapy or medical treatment. Young people need encouragement, not pressure to seek help. Their achievements matter, but so does their emotional well-being. Perhaps the more important question is not whether a student is performing well, but whether they are coping well. A generation should not have to prove its strength by suffering in silence. You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test Get the latest Lifestyle News and more. Download the TOI app.