However, no one has been dwelling into the root cause of the game’s popularity: mental illness
HYDERABAD: Amidst the fear and panic caused by the Blue Whale Challenge, a suicide game targeting the most vulnerable souls, the real issue has been brushed aside. The game that has allegedly reached Pakistan in Peshawar with three cases being reported, though none resulted in a casualty, have asked parents to be aware of what their children are doing online along with stricter monitoring by the authorities concerned. However, no one has been dwelling into the root cause of the game’s popularity: mental illness.
Around 50 million people in Pakistan are suffering from mental disorders. Almost every month, a case of suicide makes it to the newspapers. Just last week, a father killed himself after drowning his own children. But these cases only remain mere statistics. In a country with a staggering population of over 200 million people, there are only two to three mental health professionals per million people. And yet, the only thing that catches attention, pushing people into frenzy, is a game that asks players to indulge in self-harm leading to suicide. But what makes these players want to participate is a question no one seems to be asking.
Agreed, parents or guardians need to be more attentive of what their children are indulging in but not only to the extent of their game playing habits or internet interaction. They need to be more attentive of their behavioural changes and any alarming traits should be consulted with a mental health professional. Mental illness is not a stigma and so isn’t going to a therapist a taboo. We need to normalise the idea of seeking help and add depression, anxiety and stress into our day-to-day vocabulary to let people know they are not alone.
Sabika Pasha
Published in The Express Tribune, September 17th, 2017.
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