Qualitative analysis highlights cultural barriers and stigma affecting mental health help-seeking among students, indicating urgent need for tailored interventions.
Key Points
Stigma remains a primary barrier to help-seeking, especially among male students adhering to masculinity norms.
Financial constraints and high stress levels significantly limit students' access to mental health services.
COVID-19 has exacerbated academic pressures and isolation, impacting students' mental health negatively.
The findings suggest that collectivist cultural values uniquely shape gendered mental health narratives among Pakistani students.