KARACHI:
In Pakistan, a large proportion of the population is experiencing some form of mental health issue including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, etc. Although most mental illnesses can be treated with psychological or psychiatric support, people rarely seek support due to social stigma, a lack of awareness, and limited access to support. At times, people deem mental illnesses to be a ghost spell or suggest other illogical conditions.
We need to improve awareness about mental health and different mental illnesses so that individuals experiencing an illness and their families are better informed about their condition. The media can play a crucial role in destigmatising mental illnesses through informative programmes. Television dramas should avoid showing depicting mental illnesses in a negative light and should treat the issue sensitively.
Considering the high incidence of depression and suicide in the country, we need to urgently improve access to mental health support. The healthcare department must establish mental health facilities around the country and ensure that all therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists have proper qualifications and accreditation. Young graduates pursuing psychology and medicine should be encouraged to opt for psychotherapy and psychiatry.
Sayil Hussain
Lahore
Published in The Express Tribune, February 19th, 2023.
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