By Aashi Saraswat Student Modern School Mentor By Poonam Sahnan https://www.instagram.com/canalpha.solutions (International Counselor)
We live in a society where success is shown proudly , but struggle is often hidden silently. Achievements are applauded, but tears are ignored. In this type of a world, talking about mental health feels differently uncomfortable even when it is affecting almost everyone and everyday and yet no one is comfortable or ready to talk or share about it.
This is the time when we must accept a simple but powerful truth — mental health matters, and it is okay to not be okay.
Mental health is not just about serious illnesses or extreme conditions of a person.
It includes our daily emotions, our stress levels, our fears, anxiety and the way we deal with pressure. For students especially, mental health is mostly linked with academics, expectations, peer pressure and self-worth. From a very early age, we are always taught to compete, compare, be the best and prove ourselves. The Marks slowly start deciding how smart someone is, and success starts deciding how happy someone is.
In this race, many students lose something which is far more important than anything else — their mental peace.
Exam pressure, fear of failure, societal expectations, social media comparisons, and the need to appear “perfect” can quietly harm a student’s mental well-being. Many students feel depressed, lonely, or emotionally exhausted, yet they choose silence. Why? Because society often marks emotional struggles as weakness. A student who says “I am tired” is told to work harder. A student who says “I am anxious” is told to be strong. This attitude is not motivating — it is damaging.
Saying “It’s okay to not be okay” is not an excuse to escape responsibilities. It is an honest acknowledgement that we are human before we are achievers. Accepting our emotions is the first step toward understanding ourselves better. When we talk about our struggles, we reduce their power over us. Silence increases pain, but conversation creates healing.
Support systems play a crucial role in mental health. Parents, teachers, and schools must understand that listening is sometimes more important than advising. A simple, understanding talk can stop a student from feeling alone. Schools should treat mental health as very important, not just extra. Every school should have counselling, awareness programs, and safe places where students can talk freely.
As students, we must also take responsibility for our own well-being. We need to stop uplifting stress and start valuing mental health. Taking breaks, seeking help, setting boundaries, and choosing self-care are signs of strength, not failure. No examination, competition, or social approval is worth sacrificing one’s mental health.
And being a student in this generation I see a lot many things going on around me and sometimes I even lose my mental well being … so experiencing all this my strong belief is that- a society that ignores mental health is not strong — it is careless.
Progress is meaningless if it comes at the cost of emotional suffering. We must stop asking people to “adjust” and start creating environments where they can breathe, speak, and heal.
AND, we need to remember this together – A healthy mind builds a healthy future.
And until we truly accept that mental health matters, we cannot claim to be a progressive or developed society.
It is time to listen, to support, and to say it aloud — IT IS OKAY TO NOT BE OKAY, BUT IT IS NOT OKAY TO STAY UNHEARD.
For more details:
Mentor by poonam sahnan
Contact : 9311499886
