The time has come for our healthcare system to re-evaluate its priorities.
By: Syeda Mahnoor
In the quiet corners of our society, where whispers of despair echo louder than the cries for help, Pakistan is grappling with a crisis that demands our immediate attention – a mental health epidemic masked by the shadows of ignorance and neglect. In a nation that prides itself on resilience, our judgmental attitudes and failure to address the root causes have plunged us to the lowest levels of humanity.
It is estimated that 24 million people in Pakistan need psychiatric assistance. However, allocated resources for the screening and treatment of mental health disorders are not enough to meet the increasing needs. According to WHO data, Pakistan has only 0.19 psychiatrists per 100,000 inhabitants, one of the lowest numbers in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, and in the whole world.
As we navigate the complex terrain of our interconnected lives, it is crucial to recognize that mental health struggles know no boundaries. They seep into every facet of our existence, affecting the young and old, rich and poor alike leading to suicide if not treated well.
We have become a society that has reduced the complexities of the human psyche to mere stereotypes and taboos. Depression, stress, and anxiety are not buzzwords or excuses; they are profound struggles that many endure silently, drowning in the void of our judgmental society.
The grim truth is that we condemn their deaths only when they are no longer part of our lives, yet we were absent when they needed us the most. We have become the worst of listeners, failing to provide the comfort and understanding that could have saved precious lives.
The subject of mental health in Pakistan is tragically underrated, across all segments of our society. Nowhere, not in our schools, workplaces, or homes, have we created a supportive environment that acknowledges the emotional struggles faced by our fellow citizens.
Devastatingly, it begins at the very heart of our society the family unit. The profound issue of mental health is callously disregarded. In the sacred spaces meant for love, the absence of understanding and a generation gap leaves our flesh and blood battling silent storms of emotional agony, intensifying the tragedy of Pakistan’s overlooked mental health crisis.
Delving into the realm of our educational institutions, while we observe World Mental Health Day once a year, the question remains – how many institutions have taken concrete steps to prioritize the mental well-being of their students? Shockingly, psychologists are a rare sight in the faculty of our educational institutions. It is a plea to the education ministers to consider the urgent need for psychologists in schools and colleges, particularly during examination periods when students are most vulnerable to the pressures that can lead to severe mental health issues.
Turning our gaze toward the workplaces, offices, and corporate sector, I urge for a change. Renowned psychologists should not be a luxury but a necessity within organizations. Their role extends beyond workplace motivation; they serve as vital allies in helping employees navigate the relentless pressures and daily grind that often lead to mental health deterioration.
The clarion call for change extends to the medical profession as well. While our doctors emphasize the importance of mental health awareness and therapy sessions, a stark reality impedes the path to healing. We must address that the mental health services in Pakistan are often financially out of reach for many. The normal charges of psychologists, ranging from 4-5k per session, create an insurmountable barrier for those who need the most. The pressing question emerges: Should mental well-being be a privilege only for those who can afford it? And those unable to afford therapy sessions be condemned to suffer in silence, potentially leading to the tragic outcome of suicide? In a society where even sympathy comes at a cost, we must question whether we are willing to stand by as lives are lost due to the lack of accessible mental health support.
The time has come for our healthcare system to re-evaluate its priorities, making mental health services a human right accessible to everyone, irrespective of their financial standing.
The cost of ignorance is measured in lives lost, and it’s a price we can no longer afford to pay. The journey towards reform begins with acknowledging the humanity in each individual and recognizing that mental health is not a luxury, it is a fundamental right that must be safeguarded for the well-being of our society as a whole.
Together, let us be the support system that binds the broken, mends the wounded, and lights a beacon of hope in the darkest corners of despair.
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