A mental health talk at the Philippine Science High School took on profound significance when, just hours after the presentation, news broke of a young student's tragic death by suicide.
The Unseen Burdens Young Filipinos Carry
During a recent gathering of Senior High School parents at the prestigious Philippine Science High School, an expert addressed the topic "Guiding Young Adults to Find Success in Life." The discussion focused particularly on the invisible pressures that modern young adults confront daily.
One major pressure identified was the expectation to have everything figured out immediately. Young people frequently experience existential anxiety as they're constantly pushed to discover their passion or life purpose. When they struggle to find clear answers, especially while watching peers who appear to have found direction, they may prematurely label themselves as failures.
"They can't help but wonder why everyone else seems to know what they're doing while they feel lost," the speaker noted.
The Rush to Succeed and Social Media Perfection
Another significant pressure comes from the urgency to achieve success rapidly. Young adults feel compelled to accumulate awards and recognition, immersing themselves in both academic and extracurricular pursuits. This relentless pace often leads to impatience and eventual burnout by the time they reach college.
"We've all heard stories of students who excelled in high school but struggle in college," the speaker observed. "This is frequently because they arrive already emotionally and mentally exhausted."
Social media compounds these issues by creating an illusion of perfection. When young people view carefully curated images of happiness and success online, they often engage in unfavorable self-comparison. Questions like "Why do they seem so beautiful? Why are they so happy? Why do they experience such amazing things while I don't?" become constant mental companions.
This often results in comparison fatigue, and in more severe cases, young people may face bullying when they share their authentic experiences online.
A Call for Redefining Success and Support
The presentation took on heartbreaking relevance when, just one hour after the talk concluded, devastating news spread online about the suicide of Emmanuelle Atienza. This tragedy underscored the critical urgency of addressing these invisible pressures that can make everything appear fine when it's not.
The expert emphasized that parents, friends, and elders must redefine what success means for young people. Rather than chasing perfection, we should emphasize growth, reminding youth that nobody is perfect and no situation is flawless.
"Throughout life, we will encounter challenges and trials, but these don't represent the end," the speaker assured. "Every challenge presents an opportunity for a fresh start."
Parents and elders were encouraged to listen when young adults share their experiences without immediately offering solutions. Young people need understanding and empathy more than they need management or quick fixes.
Avoiding comparisons between generations is crucial, as today's youth navigate a world vastly different from what previous generations experienced. Each individual follows a unique path at their own pace.
As parents and older role models, we should demonstrate healthy ambition by working hard while also making time for rest, pursuing goals while practicing self-compassion.
Since young adults are still establishing their identities, they need supportive guidance rather than additional pressure. The time has come to shift our focus from pushing performance to nurturing growth and self-worth, working collectively to prevent further tragic losses of life due to overwhelming pressures and disappointments.
