The intersection of gender and mental well-being among adolescents in Pakistan: Challenges, strategies, and future recommendations

This chapter delves into the nexus of mental well-being, gender dynamics, and contextual intricacies in Pakistan. Acknowledging mental health’s foundational role in human development, particularly during the post-COVID-19 landscape, immense need of comprehensive mental health action plans, with a focus on late adolescents and young adults is highlighted. The narrative unfolds the complex web of adolescent mental health challenges, woven by individual attributes, behaviors, and socioeconomic conditions. Adolescence emerges as a pivotal phase for identity exploration, marked by activities challenging established gender norms. Gender, viewed as a sociocultural construct and a dynamic continuum, is explored in its role in shaping behaviors and expectations. The chapter underscores the early imprinting of gender roles through familial, peer, and cultural channels. With a commitment to understanding these dynamics deeply, the chapter aims to offer nuanced insights. The overarching objective is to inform future research, influence policies, and guide interventions fostering mental well-being in Pakistan’s diverse and globalized society.