Invisible crisis

Mental health disorders, the invisible mammoth afflicting around one billion people worldwide, are more often than not an untouched topic in Pakistani communities. Recently, the WHO has warned of a global mental health crisis, citing that suicide accounts for 1 in every 100 deaths globally. Anxiety and depression, the most common mental health disorders, are also the second leading cause of long-term disability. Pakistan fares no better, with prevalence rates ranging from 22-60% in the country.

Mental health facilitation in Pakistan suffers from two ends. On one, cultural misconceptions and stigmas propel patients into either ignoring their symptoms or dealing with them alone. Many attach the notion of 'going crazy' with deteriorating mental health, causing sufferers to endure a cycle of shame. On the other end, the country's healthcare infrastructure remains inadequate in spreading awareness and supporting patients. Reportedly, Pakistan only has 1 psychiatrist per 360,000 people - grossly lagging when compared to a recommendation of 1 per 10,000 by the American Psychiatric Association.

The Milkar Mental Health Survey by the British Asian Trust states that out of a sample of 1,353 people, only 25% could currently define mental health. This issue also extends to our understanding of mental health disorders beyond depression and anxiety. Disorders such as ADHD and PTSD, both prevalent in Pakistan, are rarely mentioned. According to a study conducted 30 months after the calamitous earthquake of 2005, PTSD was reportedly as high as 41% from three districts of the country. Another study conducted in Peshawar after a terrorist attack reported that among 205 children, 75% exhibited symptoms of PTSD.

The conversation surrounding mental health is much more nuanced in context of an unstable and developing country. But in order to reach that point, we must first come to terms with the current reality, which is mass unawareness and disregard.