Depression, stress, anxiety rampant in Pakistan, specialists say

Experts highlight need to create awareness among people

ISLAMABAD: There is a need to create public awareness to avoid mental health issues, said a prominent psychiatrist on Thursday.

He said that millions of people around the globe including Pakistan are suffering from common mental disorders. Today’s youth are particularly vulnerable to stress and depression owing to the intrusion of social media in their personal lives.

On the occasion of 'World Mental Health Day', Senior Psychiatrist Professor  Dr Abdullah Shaikh while speaking to the media said: “Depression and anxiety' awareness among the masses could help decrease the stigma around the disease, making help and treatment a more viable option.”

The medical expert said, 'World Mental Health Day' is observed every year on October 10 to raise awareness and mobilising efforts for ensuring mental health.

The expert opined that the family members, friends and society have a vital role in helping people to recover from mental illness. They need a positive attitude and acceptance of their conditions.

‘Over 34% Pakistanis suffer from anxiety’

He further explained that 'Mental illness' refers to a wide range of mental health conditions that affect mood, thinking and behavioural patterns.

People go through periods when they feel emotions such as stress and grief, but symptoms of mental illnesses last longer than normal and are often not a reaction to daily events.

He said adults could cope with these challenges easily if they have caring families, and they suffer from stress and fear if the case is otherwise.

If not understood and managed, he pointed out, these feelings cause mental illness.

He said several social and environmental factors like poverty, social inequality, and emotional abuse among youngsters could increase the risk of mental disorders.

Common mental health problems have been identified in both rural and urban populations, he added.

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Psychiatrist Dr Saba Ismail said our country was affected with mental illness problems in youngsters due to excessive use of social media and stress.

She said, Pakistani women as compared to men face even greater risk as frequent targets of domestic violence, toxic in-laws and are constant victims of gender inequality.

She stressed that such affected persons need our help and support in order to live healthy and normal lives. The more they prosper as individuals and as nations when they will live the more fulfilling, self-satisfying and less stressful lives.

Dr Said attributed the major reason of depression among new generation is due to the fact that they are not able to decide what they should do or what not to do which results in them having serious and confused thoughts.

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Some of them feel alone and even then they can't share their problems with parents and family, Dr Said stated,  adding, it's not specific for teens, in fact, every adult have their reservations.

Experts suggested that they have to do one thing in life, stop worrying on extreme levels especially youngsters while taking decisions. Each and every problem has its own solution in a better way. Be positive and think positive. Love your life, because it is precious.

A public campaign to raise mental health literacy is a great way to start the conversation, Dr Saba suggested.

She said depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, adding, every school, organisation, social group and parent should train themselves in tackling such issues at the family level. On the other hand, media should also come forward and give awareness on the issue of mental health to save coming generations through proper advocacy.  

Published in The Express Tribune, October 11^th, 2019.