KARACHI:
In the last few years, there has been an alarming increase in the number of teenagers and adults suffering from mental health issues across the country. Even young children are now more vulnerable to mental illnesses because of academic pressure, parental expectations, increased use of social media, etc. The failure to identify and treat mental health issues promptly can have grave consequences.
In Pakistan, mental health problems are rarely discussed and not considered in earnest. Individuals experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, or other conditions are unable to disclose their inner state to their families or friends. This further intensifies the issue and often takes a toll on people because of which they resort to extreme measures such as suicide. A lack of widespread awareness among the people has prevented people from seeking help and supporting others.
There is an urgent need for everyone to recognise the existence and prevalence of mental health issues and become more empathetic towards others. Educational institutes should offer counselling to students and academic instructors must become more considerate toward students. At home, parents should encourage their children to talk about their problems and concerns freely. The government must also take steps to raise awareness among the public and ensure that the health sector has sufficient funds and facilities to provide adequate rehabilitation services and psychiatric care.
Maheen Zahra
Toba Tek Singh
Published in The Express Tribune, April 17th, 2022.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
