Youth Mental Health in South Asia: Insights from Young People with Lived Experience in Pakistan and India
We are excited to share our latest publication in BMC Psychiatry, which explores how youth with lived experience of mental health challenges can meaningfully contribute to improving youth mental health interventions in low-resource settings. This qualitative study highlights the perspectives of adolescents and young adults in Pakistan and India—regions where the burden of youth mental health disorders is rising, but youth involvement in mental health system design remains rare.
🌍 Why Youth Mental Health Matters
Youth mental health is a growing global concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like Pakistan and India, where anxiety, depression, and emotional stress affect millions of adolescents. Despite increasing awareness, there is limited access to evidence-based care, and interventions often lack cultural relevance or youth-centered design.
To bridge this gap, this study—commissioned by the Wellcome Trust’s Active Ingredients Commission—centers the voices of young people with lived experience to explore what works in youth mental health interventions in the South Asian context.
Research Methodology
- Design: Exploratory qualitative research
- Participants: 30 adolescents and young adults with self-identified lived experience of anxiety or depression - Pakistan (n=19) and - India (n=11) - 22 of 30 participants were female
- Data Collection: In-depth interviews conducted via Zoom
- Analysis: Thematic analysis focused on identifying culturally relevant active ingredients for youth mental health
🔍 Key Findings: What Young People Say Matters in Youth Mental Health
Top Active Ingredients Identified
- Building stronger social relationships
- Managing emotions effectively
- Relaxation techniques (e.g., breathing, meditation, mindfulness)
Cultural Contexts: Family, Faith, and Stigma
Participants highlighted the importance of:
- Family support and involvement in emotional health
- Religion and spirituality as sources of resilience
- The need for mental health awareness in schools
- Addressing stigma and breaking silence around mental health
Barriers to Accessing Youth Mental Health Services
- Lack of affordable, youth-friendly services
- Gender norms, shame, and lack of privacy
- Schools and peers as potential safe spaces for mental health promotion
The Value of Lived Experience in Mental Health Design
Participants appreciated being included in research and stressed the need for more inclusive, participatory approaches to designing interventions, particularly for youth mental health in LMICs.
💡 Implications for Policy, Research & Practice
This study affirms that youth mental health interventions in South Asia must:
- Reflect local culture, religion, and family dynamics
- Be co-created with young people who have lived experience
- Be integrated into school systems and community settings
- Focus on stigma reduction and mental health literacy
Although participants came from relatively privileged backgrounds, this research sets the stage for larger, more inclusive studies across socio-economic groups.