This article was written by Sameer Somani and Amna Khan, members of AKFC’s Youth Advisory Committee, for Mental Health Week.
In Hussaini Gojal, a small village in northern Pakistan, 14-year-old Atila is part of a movement for mental health support in her community.
Every day after school, Atila attends sessions at a local adolescent centre, a safe space for her and her peers to learn life skills, like navigating stress and learning to express themselves.
“If people themselves become better, the world would be a better place,” Atila says.
Initiatives like this, supported by AKFC and Canada, help communities create safe spaces where young people can find strength and connection. Atila and her peers are learning to recognize unsafe practices, care for themselves, and build relationships with adults who support their growth.
“The first session was about safe and unsafe spaces. The next session was about ‘I know I love myself.’ This session was about self love and trust” Atila shares. “If this kind of session was not conducted, we wouldn’t know how to care for ourselves in college and university life.”
Atila’s story is one perspective within a broader global issue.
Today, mental health is a serious challenge for youth worldwide.
Globally, 1 in 7 adolescents – those between the ages of 10 and 19 – are affected by mental health conditions. Depression, anxiety, and behavioural disorders are among the leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents.
In Canada, around 1 in 4 young people have been diagnosed with a mental health condition, yet fewer than 20 percent of those receive the services they need. Youth in rural or remote areas face additional barriers due to geographic isolation. Studies show young people in rural areas are particularly unlikely to seek mental health support compared to their urban counterparts.
Even when services are physically available, many youth are held back by deep-rooted cultural stigmas surrounding mental health. Reaching out for support can be perceived as a weakness or shameful, causing many to suffer in silence rather than ask for help. Reports consistently highlight how racial and cultural differences contribute to disparities in mental health care access. Financial and gendered barriers often add more layers of difficulty to accessing care and support — and all these barriers are not just limited to in Canada.
Mental health care accessibility for youth is a complex issue.
There isn’t one single obstacle preventing young people from getting help — it’s a combination of logistical, financial, social, and cultural barriers. While services may exist, the real problem lies in the gap between availability and true accessibility.
Stories like Atila’s show us what’s possible when that gap is bridged — when communities create safe, welcoming spaces for youth to share, grow, and thrive.
“Mental health challenges are real but so is hope. There’s strength in saying, ‘I need help,’ and even more in saying, ‘You’re not alone’,” says Muzdha, an AKFC Youth Advisory Committee member.
Whether in a small village in northern Pakistan or a rural town in Canada, the need is clear: meaningful support systems must be within reach for all young people. Investing in youth mental health is not just about solving a crisis today, it’s about shaping a better future for our communities.
