We are living in a digital era where people suffer every day behind carefully curated smiles on social media. Beneath the filters, captions and endless scrolling, many are silently battling loneliness, pressure and emotional exhaustion. For some, these struggles become overwhelming. And that is where many young people find themselves dangerously close to suicide.
Globally, suicide and self-harm have become alarming public health concerns. Every year, more than 7,27,000 people take their own lives, while many more attempt suicide. According to the World Health Organization, suicide is the third leading cause of death among individuals aged between 15 and 29.
Mental health professionals attribute this rise to a combination of factors, including academic pressure, family conflict, economic uncertainty and the overwhelming influence of social media. However, suicidal thoughts do not simply emerge from frustration or “feeling bad”. They are often rooted in serious underlying mental health conditions such as Borderline Personality Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, depression and anxiety.
So why is it becoming so alarming nowadays? One major reason is that this generation tends to suffer in silence. Shame, fear and the anxiety of being judged often prevent young people from seeking help. As a result, their mental health continues to deteriorate. The longer the silence lasts, the heavier the emotional burden becomes.
Faysal Ahmed Rafi, a psychologist, said, “Young people go through a phase where they often feel abandoned. One of the biggest issues affecting this generation is loneliness and the fear of being left behind emotionally.”
“Even when young people are surrounded by friends, academic life or social groups, many still feel deeply isolated. They often do not feel emotionally connected to their families or loved ones, and that makes every other life stress even harder to handle,” he added.
When people are unable to express their emotions, they often become harsh on themselves. In many cases, self-harm becomes a way of intentionally inflicting pain to externalise emotional conflict that feels too heavy to carry internally. It is not always an attempt to die, but rather a desperate coping mechanism for emotional suffering.
Have you ever noticed a friend posting something disturbing about suicide on social media? Did you scroll past it? Or did you stop and check on them?
Most people ignore such posts, assuming they are simply “dark jokes” or emotional outbursts. But sometimes, these are warning signs that should never be overlooked.
The psychologist explained, “Repeated self-harming behaviour such as cutting, starving oneself, refusing necessary medication or engaging in reckless actions, like crossing a road carelessly and hoping to be hit, are serious warning signs. Overdosing on medication is another major indicator.”
Sometimes, a friend may constantly rant, become unusually angry or experience severe mood swings that make others uncomfortable. But these can also be cries for help. It is easy to become irritated or dismissive. Yet perhaps the real question should be: Are they okay? What are they silently going through?
If we think about this crisis metaphorically, it is almost like a high-wire performer walking without a safety net. The performance, academic pressure, identity struggles, financial stress and social expectations becomes more difficult every day. But the safety net, emotional support, accessible mental healthcare, national helplines, and family connections are either missing or riddled with holes. In such circumstances, even the smallest slip can become catastrophic.
“Open conversations” could be the first step towards addressing this crisis. Talking about mental health should no longer be treated as taboo. From families to friendships, from schools to workplaces, people need to become more willing to listen without judgment. Being someone’s safe space is a responsibility that should always be valued and appreciated.
Suicide and self-harm may not disappear overnight, but open conversations and emotional support can help someone survive another day and slowly begin healing.
Another important thing is to avoid dismissing someone’s feelings or offering careless advice. Saying things like “Everything will be fine”, “This is not a real problem” or “Others have it worse than you” can unintentionally deepen a person’s pain instead of comforting them.
Validating someone’s emotions can make a struggling person feel less alone and more capable of fighting their own battle. You do not always need to solve their problems. Sometimes, simply being there, listening and reminding them that they matter can make all the difference.
Saving even one life is worth every effort. Because every young person who rediscovers hope makes the world a little brighter.
