Mental health problems are one of the most ignored yet most serious problems in Pakistan, particularly among young people. In recent weeks, there have been reports of a suicide and an attempted suicide at a Lahore university. These incidents have raised many questions.
This was a wake-up call for the government, as the suicide cases were rising, with an alarming number of 116 people taking their lives in Lahore alone during the last year. Experts attribute the majority of these cases to domestic disputes, economic pressures and personal or psychological challenges. These cases were also linked with a lack of awareness about mental health and timely psychological support.
In Pakistan, it is still a taboo to talk about mental health. Many consider it a sign of weakness to have conversations about psychological struggles. This shows how common it is for children to lose hope as they are ashamed of themselves so much that they choose to lose their lives.
The major challenges faced by others may be that mental illness is often considered as weak faith or attention seeking, instead of acknowledging that one may need help. Unfortunately, many people still dismiss mental health struggles as weakness or call the sufferers ‘crazy’. This stigma prevents young people from seeking help and can have deadly consequences.
The federal government allocates only about 1% of its total national budget to health. The helmsmen should allocate more funds to the health budget and increase awareness about mental health. There is also the need for awareness campaigns to educate parents and communities about creating safe spaces for children and recognising the signs of distress.
Aman Fatima Safdar
Rawalpindi
