Broken minds, hidden cries: Nepal’s neglected youth
In the quiet corners of Nepal’s bustling cities and serene villages a silent crisis is unfolding. Hidden behind veils of cultural norms, economic hardship and peace, is a chorus of silent cries echoing in the shadows. While the nation takes pride in its rich heritage and culture, resilient people, an alarming number of children and adolescents struggle with their mental health that remain unacknowledged and untreated.
Mental health issues among children in Nepal are on the rise. According to a 2023 report by UNICEF, nearly 20 percent of Nepali children show signs of anxiety, depression and other psychological conditions. Yet, only a few of them receive the help they need. In a society where mental health remains heavily criticized, their children often endure their struggles in silence, their cries enveloped by cultural norms.
Parents often push their children to excel academically, believing success in education is the only pathway to succeed in life. To add to their burden, children are often forced to follow passions or career paths chosen by their parents. They are forced into professions their parents once dreamt of but could never achieve themselves. However, this pressure can lead to anxiety, depression and even suicidal thoughts. According to a 2022 study by the Nepal Health Research Council, Suicide was the leading cause of death among Nepal youths aged 15 to 24.
One of the most significant barriers in addressing the issue is societal perception of mental health. Many parents, bound by traditional beliefs and limited exposure to psychological conditions, perceive mental health conditions as a sign of weakness or even spiritual imbalance. They even believe it to be karma or some sort of evil spirit. Some parents even unacknowledged their kids’ conditions thinking they are making excuses to hold back from their responsibilities. Furthermore, the cultural emphasis on obedience and respect often leaves little room for children to voice their own dreams or dissent.
This lack of understanding and autonomy from parents is the reason why kids nowadays are distant from their parents. They seek solace elsewhere, their eyes glued to glowing screens, scrolling endlessly through the comfort of social media. They find the sense of belonging in the digital world, the happiness that seems absent at home. The only comfort or understanding they get from their parents is when they score 100 percent on a test or when they do better than some relatives’ kids. They are often called disrespectful or ungrateful when they try to isolate themselves from their parents hoping that would help them or they would find peace .
The consequences of neglect puts an impact on their social , academic and emotional behaviors, with some contemplating self harm. Children feel like they are screaming underwater, the hidden cries not letting them find the way out. Silent cries are more dangerous than open cries as silent cries affect them from deep inside their heart and brain which leads them self-isolating, losing empathy and hating themselves.
Despite the challenges, hope is not lost. There are many organizations and activists working tirelessly to break the stigma surrounding mental health in Nepal. But first and foremost, the house environment and family support is necessary and important as home is the place they are suffering most at.. Nepali parents are simply too uneducated about mental health; they neglect the silent cries so awareness should be spread.
