BY Liaqat ALI
In our part of the world, dreams are not always measured by passion—they are often measured by job applications, exam results, and selection lists. For thousands of young men and women, unemployment is not just a phase—it is a slow, silent war with the mind.
The Weight of Waiting
We wake up with hope and go to bed with disappointment. Every new job notification feels like a ray of light. But slowly, when results don’t come, the same light becomes a burden. “Maybe I’m not good enough,” we start to think. That’s where the mind begins to suffer.
It’s not just about money. It’s about identity. In our society, people often ask:
“What do you do?”And if your answer is “I’m preparing,” they smile politely—but deep down, you feel judged.
Loneliness in a Crowded Room
Unemployment creates isolation. Even in a room full of people, you feel alone—because no one truly understands your silence. Friends move forward in life, families expect more, and the pressure builds up.
You start avoiding relatives. You stop checking your phone. You stay up late and wake up tired. You question your own worth.
Mental Health: The Invisible Wound
Anxiety, sleeplessness, low confidence, and overthinking become daily struggles. Depression creeps in—not loudly, but quietly. It sits beside you in your room, whispers in your ear that you are failing, and slowly takes away your energy to try again.
But you keep pretending. You laugh in front of people, make excuses, and act “okay” even when you’re breaking inside.
A Society That Measures Worth by Job Titles
Our society still thinks success means being a government employee, an engineer, or a doctor. There’s no space for those who are still trying, or for those who choose different paths.
Nobody asks about your mental health. Nobody says, “It’s okay to take a break.” They only say: “Keep trying, work harder, others are getting selected—why not you?”
Unemployment is not just about being jobless. It’s about being hopeless. And unless we talk about it—openly and honestly—we’ll keep losing bright minds to silent suffering.
It’s time we create safe spaces to share these feelings. It’s time we ask each other,
“How are you really?”
And it’s time we accept that mental health is as important as marksheets.
