This study explores the complex interplay between academic, social, and cultural pressures and the mental health of female university students in Pakistan.Operating within a collectivist society, these students face unique challenges, including high academic expectations, financial constraints, and rigid gender roles, which significantly increase their vulnerability to psychological distress, anxiety, and depression.Despite the high prevalence of these issues, help-seeking behaviours remain markedly low.This research investigates the formidable barriers to seeking professional psychological support, focusing on the potent influence of pervasive social stigma, fear of reputational damage, and a widespread lack of mental health literacy.Cultural norms that prioritize family honour and misinterpret emotional suffering as personal weakness further compound these obstacles, often leading to silence and isolation.Utilizing a qualitative approach, this paper highlights the critical need for culturally sensitive, university-based mental health interventions.Recommendations include establishing accessible on-campus counselling services, implementing de-stigmatization awareness campaigns, and integrating mental health education into the academic curriculum to foster a more supportive environment and encourage proactive help-seeking among this demographic.
Shabbir et al. (Tue,) studied this question.