To dismantle this stigma, we need grassroots awareness, integration of mental health into primary healthcare, and culturally sensitive public education. This includes community workshops, religious leader training, and social media campaigns led by youth, educators, and therapists. Normalizing therapy, emotional literacy, and psychological resilience in schools and workplaces is not just a health issue—it’s a societal one.

Many young people in Pakistan report feeling lonelier, more anxious, and more inadequate after scrolling through their feeds. Why? Because social media often presents highlight reels rather than real life. When people see carefully curated images of wealth, beauty, success, and happiness, they may start comparing their own lives and feel like they are falling short (Brailovskaia et al., 2019).

This phenomenon is especially harmful among teenagers and young adults, who are still forming their self-concept. Studies have found a direct link between time spent on social media and higher levels of depression and anxiety, especially when that time involves passive scrolling and comparison (Huang, 2017). In Pakistan, where mental health awareness is still low, these effects often go unnoticed or unaddressed.

At the same time, social media isn’t entirely bad. It can be a lifeline for those who feel isolated or stigmatized. Mental health pages, therapy content in Urdu, and peer support groups provide a sense of belonging and validation that many don’t find
offline—particularly in rural or conservative areas where mental health is taboo (Naslund et al., 2016).

Following uplifting pages, engaging with authentic content, and setting screen time limits can help users develop a healthier relationship with social platforms. More importantly, schools and families must foster digital literacy, teaching young people
how to filter information, recognize harmful patterns, and seek real-life support.

By Humna Ali