Why So Many Young People Are Quietly Drowning in Depression

Look around and you’ll see it young people, more connected than ever, yet somehow lonelier, sadder, and more anxious than any generation before. The vibe is off. There’s a heaviness, even in those who smile a lot or seem active online.

We’re not just talking about random stress. We’re talking about a deeper sadness. The kind that creeps in quietly, drains your energy, and leaves you feeling lost. A lot of people are living in it. But not many are talking about why.

Let’s talk about it, honestly.

1. Too Much Screen Time, No Time for the Soul

Phones are always in our hands. TikTok, Insta, Netflix, YouTube it never ends. We scroll for hours, chasing dopamine hits, but never feel truly satisfied. Just more tired. More empty.

The Prophet ﷺ said: “There are two blessings many people waste: health and free time.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6412)

We’re wasting both. And it’s hurting us. Not just our eyes or sleep but our hearts. Too much screen time kills silence. And silence is where the soul breathes.

2. Secret Sins That Slowly Break You

Let’s be honest. Many youth fall into haram relationships, late-night conversations, emotional entanglements, or even worse. And while it feels fun or thrilling in the moment, the aftermath hits hard.

There’s guilt. There’s heartbreak. There’s a sense of spiritual darkness that’s hard to name but easy to feel.

Allah says clearly: “Do not even go close to fornication. It is indeed a shameful act, and an evil way to follow.” (Qur’an 17:32)

This isn’t just about rules. It’s about what these acts do to the heart. They fill it with guilt, regret, and distance from Allah. And when the soul is distant from its Creator, sadness follows.

You might not link the two. But they’re deeply connected.

3. Always Alone, Even When Online

We say we have hundreds of “followers” and “friends,” but in real life, many people are alone. Just them and their phone. No real connection. No deep friendships. No one to talk to about what really matters.

That’s what’s happening. Youth are isolating themselves and becoming easier targets for anxiety, depression, and even worse. Humans need humans. Real ones. Not just avatars on a screen.

4. Avoiding Family, Hating Relatives

Many youth today actively avoid family gatherings. Cousins are “boring.” Uncles are “annoying.” Aunts are “toxic.” And so, one by one, we disconnect.

But here’s what we forget: cutting off family ties is one of the things that blocks barakah (blessing) from your life.

The Prophet ﷺ said: Whoever cuts off family ties will not enter Paradise. (Sahih al-Bukhari 5984)

But even in this life, the damage shows. When you constantly avoid your family, you lose your support system. You start believing you don’t belong anywhere. That feeling grows into loneliness, bitterness, and eventually depression.

5. Falling for the Fake World of Social Media

Everyone’s rich. Everyone’s happy. Everyone’s in love. At least, that’s what it looks like online. But it’s all filters, posing, and fake vibes. You compare your messy life to someone’s highlight reel and feel miserable.

Allah reminds us: “Never stretch your eyes towards the things We have given to some groups of them to enjoy, so that We put them to test thereby, it being merely glamour of the worldly life. And the bounty of your Lord is much better and more lasting.” (Qur’an 20:131)

Chasing the dunya will always leave you tired. Because it was never meant to satisfy you. It’s designed to test you.

6. This World Is Fake. The Real Life Comes After

Here’s something we forget: This world isn’t the real one. It’s temporary. Everything you love here your money, your body, your fame will fade. Guaranteed.

Think about it:

• Steve Jobs had billions—but money couldn’t stop death.
• Queen Elizabeth ruled for decades—but had to leave it all behind.
• Pharaohs and kings built palaces—but they’re dust now.
• Even Prophet Sulaiman (AS)—who had a kingdom no one else ever had—returned to his Lord.
• King Solomon’s—wealth was unmatched in his time, but he said himself that all his riches couldn’t bring lasting happiness or save him from death.
• Howard Hughes—once one of the richest men in the world, died lonely and isolated, showing how money can’t fix a broken soul.
• Genghis Khan—built a massive empire, but all his power couldn’t stop the end of his life or secure eternal peace.
• Michael Jackson—the King of Pop, had fame and fortune beyond imagination, but his struggles with loneliness and pain remind us that wealth doesn’t guarantee happiness.

Allah says: “This worldly life is nothing but an amusement and play, and the Last Abode is the real life indeed. Only if they know!” (Qur’an 29:64)

Don’t run after a world that isn’t even real. Don’t ruin your soul chasing likes, money, or people who won’t even be in your grave. You weren’t created for this world. You were created for something greater.

7. No Connection With the One Who Created You

Here’s the root of it all: many of us are spiritually starving. We pray late, or not at all. We rarely open the Qur’an. We don’t talk to Allah. We avoid masjids. Then we wonder why life feels empty.

Allah says: “Listen, the hearts find peace only in the remembrance of Allah.” (Qur’an 13:28)

If the heart isn’t connected to its source, it breaks. Just like a phone dies without charging, your soul dies without dhikr, salah, and Qur’an

So What’s the Solution?

You don’t need to be perfect. But you do need to be real with yourself.

Ask:

• What am I doing daily that’s hurting my heart?
• What needs to go?
• Who do I need to forgive?
• When was the last time I had a real talk with Allah?

Start with small steps:

• 5 minutes of Qur’an daily
• One sincere dua at night
• Put your phone away during meals
• Pray on time
• Say sorry to a relative
• Stop watching what makes your heart feel dirty

These aren’t small. These are life changing.

You’re not broken. You’re not too far gone. You’re just disconnected from the One who gives peace. The world will keep lying to you. Telling you to chase success, love, status. But none of it lasts.

You’ll leave this world one day just like every king, billionaire, and influencer before you. So don’t lose your soul for something temporary.

The real life starts after death. And right now is your chance to build it.