The dilemma of this day and age are numberless. Youths are growing up getting exposed to an ever-changing social landscape and the older generation is equally caught up, trying to figure out how to fit in. Urbanization is rapid and Nepali villages are looking more desolate with each passing year. The urban youths of Nepal face a crisis that no previous generations encountered. There is unspoken but backbreaking pressure to have a lucrative career, raise a family and also look after parents. Keeping up to the standards set by our society has become a Herculean task and very few seem to be meeting the unrealistic expectations.
The emigration of Nepali youth is alarming, if the tread continues one has to wonder what it would be of Nepal in years to come. There is already a dire shortage of business establishments and human resources in Nepal. Very little is left of the economic boom the country saw in the 90’s before the so called civil war broke out of nowhere. Foreign remittance feeds the most here now, a lucky few live in utmost comfort, totally detached to the reality the nation faces.
The political system here has failed and no sane individual should expect anything good coming out of the current political system where promises are made only to trample all over. The reality of this country is that it is still an agriculture based economy and Nepali populace has not been brought up and given the life skills needed to thrive in the western model of development.
This historical crossroad we have arrived at has left youths of our country confused and overexposed to harshness of life. Life is indeed tough and it has become tougher for this generation because we have been thrown into the limelight of existence without tools to tackle the demands of everyday life.
Hence we see fallout of youths all over the country. There are massive emotional and psychological issues that are swept under the carpet and its effects are becoming glaring and hard to miss. What is seen outside as cool and collective is disturbed and shaky inside. Recreational drug habits and alcoholism is at staggering levels, relationships don’t have a solid base, there is anger and resentment within the family members, money is always tight and life is stifling inside the four-walled concreted bedrooms. Yes, the psychopaths are on the rise but it is unseen and shunned in Nepali homes.
Merriam-Webster defines psychopath as a mentally ill or unstable person. What the dictionary doesn’t say is, it can hide behind the curtain and grow like a cancerous tumour. Though the degree of psychopathy varies, it is nevertheless a damaging setting to live under. Psychological issues are definitely not unusual in present social structure and it is not something to be ashamed of rather it is a sign that mind is telling the body that change is desired.
If you are reading this and feel like you are going through a phase of mental breakdown and need help, know that it is perfectly normal for you to feel this way. The longer you live in denial of this feeling, the more it will grow to damage your life and make you feel disenfranchised. Share your feeling with your parents and among your social circle, if your situation doesn’t allow you to open up with the ones around you, seek professional help from a psychologist. If that is also not possible write about it in social media. You smart phone can help you connect to people going through similar situation inside and out of the country. If you feel your communication skill (since most of these websites are in English) doesn’t allow you to get your thoughts out properly then work on your language skill and practice putting your thoughts in written words.
It may sound impractical to you right now but be aware that you have a choice. You can choose to improve your life or continue the spiral down the tunnel that will lead to depression and suicidal tendencies. There is always choice to be made. Utilize the internet and other resources available to you.
Nepali youths are in crisis, let’s not deny it. We are resilient people but we have been left exposed and vulnerable to emotional and psychological conflicts. We need to help ourselves and this endeavor will allow us to come out of the crisis and become a functional and happy human being. It’s time you take charge of your life. It is possible to be happy; all you need to do is work towards it.
Oz Crew
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