Stress, Mental Health Issues, and Suicidal Thoughts Among Young Adults in the Maldives: Literature review.

Stress, Mental Health Issues, and Suicidal Thoughts Among Young Adults in the Maldives: Literature review.

 By: RN Ali Bassam

Introduction

Mental health among young adults in the Maldives has become a pressing concern, with rising cases of stress, anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. This review examines how parenting practices, cultural shifts, and lack of resilience contribute to the vulnerability of Maldivian youth when facing real-world stressors. Recent reports highlight that suicide and mental health struggles are increasingly recognized as a silent crisis in the Maldives, demanding urgent attention and policy responses (Ministry of Health, 2023).

Parenting Practices in Contemporary Maldivian Society

Overprotection and indulgence in parenting, while rooted in love and care, often deprive children of the chance to confront challenges independently. In many Maldivian households, parents step in to resolve conflicts, shield their children from discomfort, and provide excessive support even in situations where the child could learn to manage on their own. This constant intervention fosters dependency and prevents the development of problem-solving skills. As a result, children grow up with limited exposure to frustration or failure, leaving them ill-prepared to cope with the inevitable difficulties of adult life (UNICEF Maldives, 2024). The absence of punishment further compounds this issue, as children rarely face consequences for their actions. Without corrective discipline, they miss opportunities to learn accountability, responsibility, and the importance of making amends. Discipline, when applied constructively, can serve as a valuable lesson in resilience, but its absence creates a gap in emotional and behavioral development (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2018).

Equally significant is the limited exposure to stress during childhood, which creates a false sense of security. A stress-free environment may appear ideal, but it denies children the chance to build coping mechanisms through manageable challenges. Stress, in small doses, acts as a developmental tool that strengthens emotional regulation and resilience. When children are shielded from all forms of stress, they fail to develop the psychological “immunity” needed to withstand pressures later in life (American Psychological Association, 2019). Consequently, when these individuals transition into adulthood and encounter academic demands, financial struggles, or relationship conflicts, they perceive these stressors as overwhelming and toxic. The lack of coping skills leads to heightened vulnerability, where stress is internalized rather than managed, setting the stage for anxiety, depression, and maladaptive behaviors such as substance abuse or withdrawal. This cycle underscores how overprotection, absence of punishment, and limited stress exposure during childhood collectively weaken the foundation of mental health in Maldivian youth (World Health Organization, 2022).

The Role of Stress in Development

Stress, when experienced in manageable doses, serves as a vital developmental challenge that strengthens resilience and equips individuals with essential coping skills. Exposure to setbacks functions as a learning tool, teaching problem-solving, emotional regulation, and adaptability in the face of adversity, while constructive punishment plays an equally important role in shaping accountability and discipline (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022). When children face consequences for their actions, they learn responsibility, the importance of boundaries, and strategies for overcoming discomfort, all of which contribute to psychological growth. These early encounters with both stress and punishment build what can be described as “stress immunity,” where overcoming difficulties during childhood prepares individuals to handle the more complex pressures of adult life. In the Maldivian context, however, the tendency to shield children from stress and to avoid punishment deprives them of these formative experiences, resulting in fragile coping mechanisms that leave young adults vulnerable when confronted with real-world demands such as academic, financial, or relational struggles (Maldives Policy Think Tank, 2025).

Transition to Adulthood: Facing Reality

Young adults often face academic, financial, and relational pressures that can feel overwhelming when they lack effective coping mechanisms. This accumulation of stress can lead to a state of overload, where even minor daily challenges appear insurmountable. Over time, this persistent exposure to unmanaged stress begins to erode their psychological resilience, leaving them vulnerable to mental health struggles such as anxiety and depression (Liu et al., 2020).

As stress continues to build without healthy outlets, young adults may experience a decline in their overall mental well-being. Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness often emerge, making it difficult to maintain stability in both personal and academic domains. The absence of resilience and adaptive strategies exacerbates these challenges, creating a cycle where stress feeds into worsening mental health outcomes (Beiter et al., 2015).

In many cases, the inability to manage stress effectively leads to reliance on maladaptive coping behaviors. Substances such as alcohol and drugs, or escapist tendencies like excessive gaming, may provide temporary relief but ultimately intensify vulnerability. These behaviors weaken the individual’s capacity to confront life’s demands, perpetuating a harmful cycle of avoidance and instability (Compas et al., 2017).

Stress as a Poison

Without resilience, stress infiltrates the body and mind, gradually weakening psychological stability. Small challenges that could otherwise be managed begin to escalate into overwhelming crises, intensifying feelings of helplessness. This internalization of stress prevents resolution and embeds distress deeply into the psyche, leaving individuals more fragile with each encounter (National Institute of Mental Health [NIMH], 2023).

Persistent exposure to unmanaged stress creates a cycle where each new stressor compounds the effects of the previous one. This accumulation leads to heightened anxiety, depressive symptoms, and a decline in overall mental health. Surveys of young adults show that financial worries, achievement pressure, and relational deficits are among the most significant drivers of this downward spiral (Weissbourd et al., 2023).

In the absence of healthy coping strategies, many young adults turn to maladaptive behaviors such as substance use or escapism. While these may provide temporary relief, they ultimately intensify vulnerability and weaken the ability to confront life’s demands. Counseling and resilience-building approaches, such as practicing self-compassion, maintaining balance, and connecting with personal values, are recommended to counteract these harmful patterns (University of Oregon Counseling Services, 2024).

Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors

The culmination of unmanaged stress and deteriorating mental health often leads young adults into cycles of hopelessness, isolation, and risky behaviors. Research shows that factors such as financial strain, relationship difficulties, and persistent anxiety can heighten vulnerability to suicidal thoughts. Continuous exposure to stress without effective coping strategies fosters despair, where challenges appear insurmountable and the future feels bleak (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2024).

In the Maldives, stigma surrounding mental illness prevents open discussion and discourages individuals from seeking professional help. This silence leaves many to struggle alone, intensifying feelings of shame and hopelessness. Global reviews highlight that stigma is a major barrier to accessing care, as it fosters discrimination and discourages treatment-seeking behaviors, particularly in collectivist societies where reputation and social standing are highly valued (National Academy of Medicine [NAM], 2022).

In this vulnerable state, many young adults turn to maladaptive coping mechanisms such as substance abuse or escapist behaviors. While these may provide temporary relief, they ultimately worsen psychological instability and increase the likelihood of suicidal ideation or attempts. Evidence suggests that comprehensive interventions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and resilience-building program are effective in reducing suicidal behaviors and addressing underlying risk factors (Sufrate-Sorzano et al., 2023).

Cultural and Social Dimensions

Modern parenting in the Maldives increasingly emphasizes care and protection, shaped by child rights and human rights frameworks that discourage punitive discipline. While these frameworks safeguard children from harm, they often compel parents to adopt overprotective approaches, shielding children from hardship and accountability. This shift deprives young people of opportunities to build resilience and coping skills, leaving them unprepared for adulthood challenges (UNICEF, 2019).

The strong social stigma surrounding mental health in Maldivian society discourages open discussion and prevents individuals from seeking help. As a result, many young people struggle silently with stress and despair. Research shows that stigma is a major barrier to accessing mental health services globally, and in the Maldives, this silence exacerbates vulnerability by isolating individuals from support systems (Center for Child and Family Well-Being, 2023).

The combination of overprotective parenting and stigma-driven silence has contributed to rising cases of suicide and drug abuse in the Maldives. These risk behaviors not only devastate families but also strain public health systems and weaken social cohesion. Evidence suggests that resilience-building interventions—such as mindful parenting, accountability training, and community-based support—are critical to reversing these trends and preparing youth to face adversity (Koenig, 2022).

Conclusion

The Maldivian context reveals how overprotection in childhood, absence of punishment, and lack of stress exposure contribute to fragile mental health in adulthood. Stress acts like poison when faced without resilience, leading to anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation. Addressing this issue requires balanced parenting, cultural awareness, and proactive mental health interventions to equip young adults with the tools to face life’s inevitable challenges.

 

 

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