Yudhishtir Chandra Biswas, Executive Director of Young Climate Action Network, joined Jamuna Television Morning Live, one of the most widely viewed television news programmes in Bangladesh, to discuss the growing mental health challenges faced by young people.
During the conversation, he pointed directly to three dominant pressures shaping youth mental health today: digital overload, academic competition, and persistent social stigma. He argued that constant exposure to social media is not neutral. It amplifies comparison, distorts self-worth, and creates a cycle of anxiety that most young people are not equipped to manage. Academic pressure adds another layer, where success is narrowly defined and failure is treated as unacceptable, leaving little room for emotional resilience.
More critically, he highlighted that stigma remains the biggest barrier. Young people are not just struggling with mental health issues, they are also discouraged from talking about them. Families, institutions, and social norms still treat mental health as a weakness rather than a legitimate concern. That silence is not accidental, it is structural.
Drawing from YOUCAN’s ongoing youth research and engagement initiatives, he emphasised that these issues are not isolated cases but patterns observed across different communities. The data shows a clear gap between awareness and action. People talk about mental health more than before, but actual support systems remain weak, inaccessible, or inconsistent.
He also made it clear that awareness campaigns alone are not enough. Without safe spaces, accessible support, and institutional accountability, conversations remain symbolic. Schools, universities, and youth organisations need to move beyond messaging and start building systems that respond to real needs.
At its core, the discussion reinforced YOUCAN’s position that mental health is directly linked to the overall resilience of a generation. Ignoring it weakens social and economic progress in the long run. Addressing it requires normalising conversations, reducing stigma, and creating environments where young people can seek support without fear.
The appearance on national television signals a growing recognition of youth mental health as a public issue rather than a private struggle. The real question is whether that recognition leads to structural change or stays confined to discussion.