The world is developing rapidly, but alongside this progress, people seem to be losing their mental peace. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in every seven young people worldwide experiences some form of mental health issue. In Pakistan as well, cases of stress, anxiety, and psychological disorders are steadily increasing.

Experts believe that inflation, unemployment, unhealthy competition, excessive use of social media, and loneliness are among the major factors negatively affecting the mental health of young people.

Mental peace is not merely a temporary feeling of happiness or success; rather, it is a state in which a person feels internally satisfied, calm, and emotionally balanced. However, today's youth are increasingly suffering from mental exhaustion due to constant pressure, fear, unrealistic expectations, traumatic experiences, and comparisons with others.

A Personal Struggle with Grief:

Shireen, a resident of Manglawar, Swat, is among those young people who experienced severe mental stress following a personal tragedy.

She recalls:

> “When my father passed away, it felt as if my entire life had changed. I began to hate everything around me. I had no desire to talk to anyone or participate in any activity. It seemed as though I had lost interest in everything.”

According to Shireen, instead of understanding her emotional condition, many people criticized her.

> “People called me lazy, which hurt me deeply. Many thought I was making excuses, while in reality, I was struggling with severe mental stress.”

She believes that family support plays a crucial role during difficult times.

> “Encouragement from family gives a person the strength to recover. My mother stood by me throughout that difficult period. Later, I followed the advice and guidance I received during treatment, and gradually my condition started improving.”

When Fear Takes Over:

Mental stress is not always limited to sadness or grief. Sometimes, fear can become so overwhelming that it begins to interfere with daily life.

Nosheen, from Sambat in Swat, shares her experience:

> “I have been afraid of spiders since childhood, but over time that fear became more intense. At night, I would constantly worry that there might be a spider in my bed.”

She explains that this persistent fear significantly affected her mental well-being.

> “At times, I felt as though spiders were actually around me. But whenever I told my family, no one could see anything. During those moments, people’s comments and attitudes made me even more anxious.”

Later, she sought religious guidance.

> “A religious scholar advised me to recite Ayat-ul-Kursi, pray regularly, stay occupied with daily activities, and avoid unnecessary thoughts. When I began following this advice, I gradually felt better and experienced a sense of mental peace.”

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The Religious Perspective:

Maulana Muazullah, a teacher at Jamia Islamia Tafheem-ul-Quran Odigram and Imam of Jamia Masjid Atat Khel Ghaligay in Swat, believes that modern youth are experiencing both psychological and spiritual emptiness.

He says:

> “Today’s young people have lost their peace of mind due to worldly competition, economic challenges, personal tragedies, the desire for quick success, and constant exposure to others’ seemingly perfect lives. Social media often makes people feel inferior by comparing their lives with those of others.”

According to him, Islam offers hope, patience, and a strong connection with Allah as key sources of mental peace.

> “When a person understands that this world is a place of trials, the burden on their heart begins to lessen. The Quran teaches people not to despair and to remain hopeful of Allah’s mercy.”

He cited a Quranic verse:

> “Allah says: ‘We are closer to man than his jugular vein.’ This realization helps people overcome loneliness and find hope and courage.”

Maulana Muazullah also emphasized that mental illness should not simply be viewed as a sign of weak faith.

> “Islam encourages both prayer and treatment. Just as physical illnesses require medical care, mental health issues may also require professional help. Both prayer and treatment can provide comfort and healing.”

A Psychologist’s View:

Dr. Faheem, a psychologist associated with the Department of Psychology at the University of Swat, says a large number of Pakistani youth are experiencing mental stress and anxiety, yet mental health is still not taken seriously by society.

According to Dr. Faheem:

> “Mental health has a profound impact on every aspect of life. If a person is not mentally at peace, they cannot focus effectively on education, perform well at work, or maintain healthy relationships. Unfortunately, while people recognize physical illnesses as real, mental health problems are often ignored.”

He believes that young people today are living under continuous pressure.

> “Inflation, unemployment, family problems, academic stress, unhealthy competition, and social media are all weakening young people mentally. When they see others’ wealth, luxury, and achievements, they often feel left behind, leading to feelings of inferiority. These feelings can eventually develop into anxiety, hopelessness, and mental exhaustion.”

Dr. Faheem explains that fear can sometimes become so dominant that it feels real.

> “Some people constantly fear snakes, spiders, darkness, or accidents. When a person repeatedly thinks about such fears, the mind can begin to perceive them as reality, even when they do not actually exist.”

He also highlights excessive mobile phone usage and loneliness as major contributors to mental stress.

> “Today, people may live in the same house, yet remain emotionally distant from one another. Meaningful conversations are becoming rare, and this isolation weakens mental well-being.”

Finding Mental Peace:

According to Dr. Faheem, maintaining mental peace requires adopting a healthy lifestyle.

> “People should sleep and wake up on time, eat a balanced diet, exercise or walk regularly, and engage in positive activities. Unnecessary use of social media should be reduced, and instead of competing with others, individuals should focus on their own goals and purpose in life.”

He further advises:

> “People should not spend all their time thinking about their problems. They should also focus on finding solutions. Taking practical steps toward resolving difficulties gradually leads to greater mental peace.”

Dr. Faheem notes that many individuals hesitate to seek treatment or counseling because they fear being judged by society.

> “Rather than keeping worries bottled up inside, it is important to talk to someone trustworthy. Seeking advice or professional help for mental health concerns is nothing to be ashamed of. Family members, friends, teachers, and psychologists can provide valuable support and guidance during difficult times.”

He adds that reading, worship, spending time in nature, and engaging in enjoyable hobbies can also help restore mental well-being.

Conclusion:

Experts agree that mental stress is not a weakness but a reality. Recognizing this reality is the first step toward recovery. With proper guidance, family support, positive activities, spiritual practices, counseling, and a balanced lifestyle, mental peace can be regained. If young people receive timely understanding, support, and care, they can overcome mental stress and lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.