The Mental Health Concerns of Mumbai’s Youth
Mumbai is one of the biggest metropolitan cities in India. It is home to about 2 crore people, 35% of which are below the age of 20. The youth is the future of the city and the country from a broader perspective and therefore must be cared for.
However, the mental epidemic has not let the younger generation get off easily. Rather, it is felt much more intensely by the younger generation, especially in a technologically and financially advanced city like Mumbai. Many young people part of this demographic have not even seen a society function without phones and other technological miracles. For them, it is a part of society, an identity rather than just a tool we use. Aside from that, the fast-paced life and constant pressure to excel in academics or in any other field they choose, unfair expectations of parents as well as of self, derived by the glorification of the “hustle culture” promoting that that material success is the only goal worth pursuing by humans exacts a toll on these young developing minds.
According to a survey conducted by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), over 40% of the students in Mumbai schools suffer from anxiety, depression, and related mental health issues. In addition, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reported that Mumbai had the highest number of student suicides in India in 2019. This suggests a problem in the youth which must be taken care of.
Anxiety is one of the most common issues among students. The pressure to perform extraordinarily well and land a job with an extraordinarily high salary is a normal expectation of parents and students for themselves as well. This toxic competitiveness triggers anxiety for a lot of students.
The pressure to succeed in all aspects of life coupled with the high levels of pollution, traffic, and noise in the city can make it difficult for the youth to cope with their emotions. These along with the feelings of loneliness and social isolation makes Depression a major concern for the youths of Mumbai
Following the two, usually but not always, comes addiction. The youth of Mumbai face two different types of addiction, one in the form of substance and the other in the form of social media. A toxic mental atmosphere, [peer pressure and the desire to fit in with their peers can lead them to experiment with drugs and alcohol, leading to addiction and other mental health issues. Since the smartphone has become such an integral part of the culture, so has social media which has resulted in feeding the cycles of depression, anxiety and low-self esteem.
Fortunately, there are many who have started to understand the toxic culture they are a part of and have started to look out for help. We understand our role as a healing agency and take a holistic approach to heal, identifying the cause and then uprooting it. That is why Veda Wellness, Luxury Retreat & Rehab centre is known as the best in the country. You can visit the Mumbai centre or call us to know more!