Mental health: unseen casualty of politics, media and bureaucracy

Mental health has emerged as a critical issue in today's society, tracing its roots back to the mental hygiene movement of 1908. This movement sought to fix the conditions and treatment quality for people with mental disorders and has since captured the attention of international development agencies and corporate sectors alike. Notably, the UN has established positions for in-house stress counselors, featuring the growing recognition of mental health's importance in various domains of life.

Over the years, the themes of World Mental Health Day have evolved, encompassing a broad spectrum of issues. Initially focused on improving global mental health services in 1994, subsequent themes addressed specific areas such as women's mental health (1996), children's mental health (1997), and the intersection of mental health with human rights (1998) and aging (1999).

In the early 2000s, themes centred on mental health in the workplace, trauma and violence's impact on children and adolescents, and the correlation between physical and mental health. As the years progressed, the themes emphasized investment in mental health, addressing depression as a global crisis, and living with schizophrenia. Recent themes have focused on promoting mental health in an unequal world and recognizing mental health as a universal human right.

The theme for World Mental Health Day 2024, slated for October 10, is: "It is time to prioritize mental health in the workplace." This year's focus highlights tackling issues like burnout and stress in work environments, urging employers and employees to share the responsibility of creating healthier, more supportive workplaces where mental well-being is paramount.

Reflecting on these themes, one might wonder how they resonate in present-day Pakistan. Has any influencer, intellectual or technical expert thoroughly explored the intersection of mental health with Pakistani politics, media, youth and bureaucracy? In an era marked by numerous experts in clinical psychology and psychiatry, ethical challenges would arise if our political systems were not shameless and ruthless.

During my search, I stumbled upon an insightful research paper by one of Pakistan's few virtuous psychiatry clinicians, Prof Dr Abdul Wahab Yusufzai, in 2022. In his paper, 'Political Polarization and Its Impact on Mental Health: Where Do We Stand?', he aptly observed: "A country like ours, with entrenched religious intolerance, economic inequalities, social disparities, and alarming mental health statistics, cannot afford to descend into further social and psychological chaos amidst heated, polarized political discourse. We must encourage our younger generation to embrace tolerance and critical thinking to confront social challenges with grace and scientific reasoning, in order to counteract the looming threats of polarization, radicalization, and psychosocial malaise. There is an urgent need to restore political sanity and halt the escalating psychosocial turmoil in Pakistan."

Brain drain has become a frequent topic of discussion nowadays. Popular social media platforms and highly-rated TV shows in Pakistan abound with justifications for emigrating from the country. Many arguments, supported by dismal statistics and unsettling social scenarios, reveal a lack of tolerance and the ability to peacefully coexist. The normalization of inequities, injustices and inequalities perpetuates unemployment, strengthens patriarchal norms and fosters an elitist consensus.

Paradoxically, the brain itself is undervalued in Pakistan. During my medical schooling, it was widely understood that the brain was not an important subject in anatomy from an examination perspective. I was often ridiculed for reading high-quality, even out-of-syllabus, material on the brain. Later, after graduating from medical college but continually struggling through the university life, I understood why peers and teachers prioritized the head, neck and limbs over the brain. This is not a jest but a poignant reality. In a society where intellect is overlooked, it is no surprise that mental health remains marginalized amidst political chaos.

This experience mirrored the political landscape in Pakistan, where intellectual objectivity is often overshadowed by connections, sycophancy and superficial qualities. Many Pakistanis, including myself, have witnessed and experienced the mockery of merit and the rise of numerous backbenchers, from our school days through university and into coveted, lucrative positions in civil service, media, politics and beyond.

Personally, while I deeply respect the few honest and hardworking individuals in these spheres, I have come to appreciate those who, although academically and morally weaker, have mastered the art of flattery, seizing opportunities at any cost and leveraging their surnames, pedigrees and birth privileges. Some achievers, who may appear strong in their transcripts and tone, successfully disguise themselves in the garb of humanism, yet they do not hesitate to partner with those who have blood on their hands - the perpetrators of suffering against millions of helpless women, men and children. At times, I wonder how beings like me, who continue to work with disadvantaged communities across the country in hostile environments, manage to maintain emotional stability and mental health.

As we approach World Mental Health Day, it is imperative to recognize that mental health is not just an individual issue but a societal one, deeply intertwined with the political, media and bureaucratic landscapes of Pakistan. It is time for us to prioritize mental health, challenge the status quo and create a society that values the well-being of all its citizens.

In 2008, Prof José Bertolote from the Department of Mental Health at the World Health Organization in Geneva argued that mental health is more than a scientific discipline; it is a political and ideological movement involving diverse segments of society that seek to promote the human rights of people with mental disorders and improve the quality of their treatment. It is inevitable for the state of Pakistan to comprehend and accept this argument.

The alarming decline in collective mental health, fueled by hypocrisy and apathy within our political institutions, demands urgent attention. If we do not address these issues, we risk normalizing digital and literal terrorism, fostering triviality toward patriotism and promoting anti-state sentiments among our people, especially youth.