Category: Adolescent Mental Health

Mental Health Is Not “Drama”: Why Does Even “Strong Bachay” Need Support

Posted on by Ahmad Amirali

Understanding Stress, Anxiety & Burnout in Our Pakistani Children: A Quiet Moment, Many Parents Will Recognise

In many Pakistani homes, the value of strength is instilled from an early age.

Rona nahin – Don’t Cry
Strong bano – Be Strong
Sab theek ho jata hai – Everything will be fine

These words are usually said with love. Parents want their children to thrive in a challenging world. But sometimes, without realising it, these same words send another message: Your feelings are not important.

When a child says, I’m tired, and we reply, Yeh koi baat hoti hai?

When a teenager says, Mujh se aur nahin ho raha, and we say, Drama band karo.

That is where the silence begins.

Continue reading “Mental Health Is Not “Drama”: Why Does Even “Strong Bachay” Need Support” →

Career Confusion: Science, Commerce, Arts or “Bas jo mile”

Posted on by Ahmad Amirali

Why teens feel lost about subject choices, fear disappointing parents, and struggle to see value beyond “doctor, engineer, CSS.”

Choosing subjects after middle school is one of those small crossroads that feels enormous when you’re living it, both for the child and the parents. In Pakistan, that crossroad often looks like a short menu: Science (pre-med/pre-engineering), Commerce (business/accounting), Arts (humanities/social sciences), or “Bas jo mile”, take whatever seat opens up. Why does a 14- or 15-year-old face such pressure and confusion? Let’s unpack the feelings behind the choices and offer a kind, practical way forward for parents and families.

Continue reading “Career Confusion: Science, Commerce, Arts or “Bas jo mile”” →

Why Do Teens Leave School? A Simple Reflection on Gender, Culture & Education in Pakistan

Posted on by Ahmad Amirali

Every child deserves to learn with confidence, feel safe while travelling to school, and dream about a bright future. But for many teenagers in Pakistan, especially girls living in rural areas, staying in school becomes more challenging as they grow older. When a girl drops out, her education doesn’t just pause; her opportunities, independence, and future possibilities shrink with it.

In this reflective piece, I aim to explore why many adolescent girls drop out of school and how parents, teachers, and communities can collaborate to support their continued learning.

What the numbers show and what families feel

Research from the World Bank highlights that girls in rural Pakistan face the highest dropout rates due to poverty, early marriage, unsafe travel, and lack of school facilities. Challenges and Solutions for Girls’ Education in Pakistan.

Continue reading “Why Do Teens Leave School? A Simple Reflection on Gender, Culture & Education in Pakistan” →

Teen Academic Burnout: A Growing Crisis We Can No Longer Ignore

Posted on by Ahmad Amirali

I’ve been thinking a lot about the quiet exhaustion I often notice in teenagers today, the way their shoulders slump under the invisible weight of expectations, or how their eyes lose a little of their spark as exams approach. Sometimes, when I’m mentoring students or talking to parents, I find myself asking: When did learning become so heavy for our children?

In Pakistan, where grades are tied to prestige, opportunity, and sometimes even family honour, academic pressure doesn’t just sit in school bags; it follows students into their homes, their sleep, and their identities. And whether we admit it or not, teen academic burnout has slowly become a national concern.

What Exactly Is Teen Academic Burnout?

Academic burnout is more than just being “tired of studying.” Psychologists describe it as a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by long-term academic stress (Schaufeli et al., 2002).

Continue reading “Teen Academic Burnout: A Growing Crisis We Can No Longer Ignore” →

Helping Teens Breathe: Supporting Adolescent Mental and Emotional Well-Being

Posted on by Ahmad Amirali

I often find myself pausing at the school gates, watching groups of teenagers walk in, some laughing, some silent, some with headphones plugged in, all carrying invisible loads on their shoulders. As an educator and parent, I can’t help but wonder: What kind of world are they growing up in?

It’s a world that expects them to excel, to fit in, to stand out, and to do all of that gracefully, all before they even understand who they truly are.

In writing this reflection, I wanted to look beyond test scores and report cards, and into the hearts of adolescents navigating their mental and emotional worlds. Whether in the busy school corridors of Karachi or the diverse classrooms of London, many young people share the same quiet struggle balancing their dreams with the weight of expectations.

Continue reading “Helping Teens Breathe: Supporting Adolescent Mental and Emotional Well-Being” →

How Childhood Trauma Shapes Adult Life and What Parents Can Do to Help

Posted on by Ahmad Amirali

Earlier today, I met one of my childhood friends after many years. As we laughed and reminisced about the mischievous adventures of our childhood gang, I was filled with warmth and nostalgia. Yet, amid this joy, a thought struck me that not all childhood memories bring happiness. For some, childhood is not a time of laughter and play, but of pain and fear.

A few weeks ago, during an educational camp I was conducting in the central region of Pakistan, a 19-year-old student shared his childhood experiences with me. His story reminded me how deeply early trauma can shape a person’s adult life. Childhood abuse, whether physical, sexual, or emotional, or even neglect by parents, can leave lasting scars. Children who are hurt by the very people they trust and love most often grow up feeling betrayed, wounded, and unworthy. If these emotional wounds remain unhealed, they silently seep into adulthood, affecting one’s self-image, relationships, and capacity to trust.

Continue reading “How Childhood Trauma Shapes Adult Life and What Parents Can Do to Help” →

Why Family Involvement Matters for Teens

Posted on by Ahmad Amirali

Last week, I sat down to watch The Blind Side again, the 2009 Hollywood film starring Sandra Bullock and Quinton Aaron. Though I’d seen it before, this time it struck me differently. Perhaps because, as a teacher and mentor working closely with teenagers, I’ve come to recognise just how fragile the teenage years can be and how much difference a caring family or even one caring adult can make.

The movie tells the true story of Michael Oher, who grew up facing poverty, neglect, and homelessness before becoming a star in the NFL. While it’s framed as a sports drama, I saw it less as a football story and more as a lesson on the importance of family involvement. As I watched Michael’s life unfold on screen, I couldn’t stop asking myself: What does family really mean for a teenager’s growth and development?

Continue reading “Why Family Involvement Matters for Teens” →

Self-Disgust And Borderline Personality Disorder Among Teens

Posted on by Ahmad Amirali

New Research Highlights Self-Dissatisfaction in Adolescents as A Possible Precursor To BPD

Recently, I had a conversation with a former student who is now in her second year of medical school. She shared her career goals, which seemed promising, but then her mood shifted. She expressed ongoing dissatisfaction with her life and self, saying things like, “I don’t like how I am or how my life is going… It’s not what I expect… nobody understands me… I messed up my life… in fact, I have no life.” I listened patiently and tried to calm her as she began to open up. This encounter left me reflecting on why self-dissatisfaction develops and its impact on lives.

Continue reading “Self-Disgust And Borderline Personality Disorder Among Teens” →