LETTERS: College is often painted as a vibrant tapestry of self-discovery, academic exploration and newfound freedom. But a silent epidemic of depression is gripping a significant portion of students.
Estimates suggest that 15 to 44 per cent of students grapple with depressive symptoms.
Depression is like an invisible backpack, heavy with persistent sadness, hopelessness and fatigue. It steals the joy from learning, saps motivation and casts a fog over social interactions.
Academic demands exacerbate the problem. Exams pile up, social comparisons fester and financial anxieties bite. The pressure to excel can feel like a suffocating grip, and the fear of failure fuels the flames of self-doubt.
Leaving behind familiar support systems and navigating new, complex social dynamics can be daunting. Loneliness festers in dorm rooms, and the curated perfection on social media amplifies feelings of inadequacy.
The pressure to "belong" can be crushing.
Universities are slowly waking up to this silent epidemic. Mental health resources are becoming more readily available, offering individual counselling, support groups and workshops on stress management and coping mechanisms.
Normalising the conversation about mental health is vital to dismantling the stigma that often prevents students from seeking help.
Students themselves can also be agents of change. Building strong, supportive networks, practising self-care and prioritising time for activities that bring joy are essential steps.
Reaching out to struggling peers, fostering empathy and offering a listening ear can make a world of difference. Depression doesn't have to define the student experience. By acknowledging the problem, fostering open communication and providing accessible support, we can lighten the load and pave the way for a brighter, more hopeful future for our students.
NURUL IMAN BAHRIN
Faculty of Syariah and Law, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times