Pakistani actress Aina Asif bats for mental health and talks about stigma surround the illness

Dubai: Pakistani actress from the hit series 'Judwaa' Aina Asif is using her celebrity to spotlight a topic that’s often brushed under the rug — mental health.

During a recent appearance on a morning show, the rising actress shared her concern that mental health issues are still not taken seriously, especially among the youth.

“Every illness deserves proper treatment,” Aina said, “but when it comes to mental health, people often suggest prayer instead of real help.”

While she acknowledged that prayer brings comfort, she was clear that it shouldn’t replace therapy or professional intervention.

Aina also pointed out how today’s generation is more aware of their emotional well-being but also more affected by it. "Students feel anxious during exams — that’s real. The pressure we face today contributes to growing mental health challenges," she said.

Urging young people and parents alike to treat mental health as seriously as any physical ailment, Aina championed the need to seek out psychologists and therapists. Her message was clear: support systems are crucial, and mental health care should never be sidelined.

"Before looking for a solution, we must identify the problem. I'm too young to speak on this, but I would sometimes wonder why our generation is so depressed; this wasn't so common before," she said.