Suicide contagion

Letter October 25, 2021
Suicide contagion

KARACHI:

Mental health-related issues and suicide are topics seldom discussed in Pakistan. In the last few years, the rate of suicide has grown significantly, but there have been little to no efforts to address the rising suicide rate. The Covid pandemic has caused changes in lifestyles and increased mental health issues. Due to a lack of awareness of mental illnesses and an absence of mental health practitioners, the suicide crisis has been further exacerbated. People struggling with mental illnesses such as depression are unable to seek help and combat their illnesses.

The relevant authorities need to take this matter into consideration and initiate awareness campaigns to educate people on mental illnesses and encourage them to seek help instead of resorting to suicide. More importantly, there needs to be an increase in mental health practitioners i.e., psychiatrists, psychologists, and counsellors along with rehabilitation centres to assist and support people better. Relevant authorities must conduct regulatory checks on the practitioners and centres to ensure their credibility. Mental illnesses need to be taken seriously and addressed in a timely manner, otherwise, it can result in a major suicide crisis for the country.

Usama Mughal

Kandhkot

Published in The Express Tribune, October 26th, 2021.

Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.