Mental Health & Academic Pressure

Do you know what mental health and academic pressure mean? Let me explain these concepts briefly.

Mental Health – According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn and work well, and contribute to their community. It has intrinsic and instrumental value and is a basic human right.

Academic Pressure – According to Mental Health Center for Kids, academic pressure refers to the tension, discomfort, and emotional strain caused by pressure from school, family, and society during the learning process.

I am writing to you about issues and challenges we face in our day-to-day lives due to continuous competition with ourselves, society, peers, and the world around us. Academic pressure does not begin only after Grade 10 or Grade 12; in many ways, it begins very early in life as we learn to face challenges and expectations. I once read a quote that stayed with me: “Survival belongs to the fittest, and growth comes from challenging one’s own willpower to achieve life goals.” However, when misunderstood, this idea can create unnecessary mental pressure that often remains hidden from the outside world.

Every individual faces some form of pressure to survive and succeed. From the moment we are born, we begin dealing with challenges—initially protected by the care and support of our parents. As we grow older, these challenges increase in number and complexity. Gradually, expectations related to academics, performance, and future careers begin to create significant pressure. This pressure directly affects students’ well-being, emotional health, and overall growth.

Today, a large number of students face mental health concerns linked to academic pressure. But why does this happen? Is it always necessary? Academic performance does matter to some extent, but the problem arises when marks become the sole measure of success. Often, pressure originates from home, society, and constant comparisons—beliefs such as “only good marks guarantee success” or “poor performance means failure in life.” These labels and expectations can deeply affect students’ mental well-being and create unnecessary stress.

The dialogue from the popular movie “3 Idiots” perfectly reflects this reality:

“Kandhon ko kitaabon ke bojh ne jhukaya…
99% laaoge toh ghadi, warna chhadi…
Concentrated H2SO4 ne poora bachpan jala daala.”

This dialogue highlights how excessive academic pressure can overshadow childhood and personal growth.

Recent studies underline the seriousness of this issue. According to the WHO, nearly 1 in 7 adolescents globally experience a mental health condition, with anxiety and depression being the most common. UNICEF reports that academic stress is one of the leading contributors to adolescent anxiety worldwide. In India, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has repeatedly highlighted that academic stress and examination-related pressure are significant factors contributing to student distress. These statistics remind us that mental health challenges among students are real, widespread, and must be addressed with care and sensitivity.

The important questions now are: How do we deal with this issue? How can students manage academic pressure effectively? Who can support students during such situations?

The answer begins with you—the students. With the right mindset, awareness, and support, you can learn to manage pressure in a healthy way.

As a teacher and counsellor, I would like to share a few practical steps to help you handle mental health challenges and academic pressure:

First, identify your life goals, personal objectives, and sources of happiness. If you find this difficult, seek guidance from parents, teachers, peers, or trusted friends. Reading and exploring different career perspectives related to your subject choices can also help.

Second, understand the requirements needed to achieve your goals—academic grades, co-curricular involvement, sports, public speaking, and exposure opportunities such as IAYP, Round Square, MUNs, and other developmental programmes.

Third, identify the entrance examinations or qualifications required for your chosen career or institution.

Fourth, break your syllabus and preparation into small, manageable targets. For example, students aspiring to become doctors, engineers, or civil servants (IAS/IPS) must prepare for competitive examinations such as NEET, JEE, or UPSC. These exams are undoubtedly challenging and often lead to sleepless nights, fear of failure, anxiety, and mental stress. However, systematic and consistent preparation can significantly reduce this burden.

Completing an entire syllabus in a short time is difficult, but working regularly with discipline and balance makes the process manageable.

Fifth, solve previous years’ question papers and revise them again and again. This practice helps you understand the examination pattern, identify frequently asked topics, improve time management, and reduce fear of examinations. Regular revision combined with repeated practice builds clarity, confidence, and excellence, gradually leading to expertise in your subjects rather than short-term memorisation. Alongside academics, it is equally important to engage in daily life activities, skill development, and personal interests.

Students are encouraged to follow these steps for any academic or career preparation and to develop regular reading habits. Some recommended readings include 11 Rules for Life by Chetan Bhagat, Energize Your Mind by Gaur Gopal Das, and The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz.

Remember, no student is inherently weak or strong. Everyone has potential; the process and pace of learning differ for each individual. Success looks different for everyone. What matters is recognizing your strengths, understanding your happiness, and defining growth on your own terms. Ultimately, you are the most important person in your journey.

Always remember that your parents, teachers, friends, peer group, and society are not your enemies—they are your support systems. Seek their guidance whenever needed. With the right direction, positive mindset, and healthy attitude, you can face challenges with confidence and resilience.

                                                                                   ***