Mental health crisis

Today marks the annual World Mental Health Day. Organized by the World Health Organization (WHO), the overall objective of this occasion is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilize efforts in support of mental health. With an estimated one-eighth of the global population living with a mental health disorder as of 2019, the importance of emphasizing mental health issues and how they can be dealt with is more crucial than ever. The theme for this year is ‘Mental Health at Work’, highlighting the importance of safe and healthy working environments for good mental health. Needless to say, there are not many safe and healthy working environments in Pakistan. In fact, the very concept of a ‘safe and healthy working environment’ remains quite limited in the minds of many, if not most, of the country’s people. Bullying and abusive behaviour from superiors are still seen as part of the job in too many workplaces, even though several organizations have moved to prohibit all forms of harassment. The law is also of little help in this regard since it only addresses sexual harassment. This phenomenon offers a window into how the entire issue of mental health is perceived in the country.

According to WHO data, mental disorders account for more than 4.0 per cent of the total disease burden in Pakistan, and yet, the country has only 0.19 psychiatrists per 100,000 inhabitants, one of the lowest numbers in the whole world. An estimated one in three Pakistani women and one in four Pakistani men will go through an episode of depressive illness over their lifetime, as compared to a global rate of depressive illness of around 15 per cent. These numbers are likely underestimating the problem as many of those going through mental health problems have little idea that they are suffering from a medical condition. Rather than find new ways to tackle the problem or identify hitherto unknown forms of mental abuse, Pakistan’s struggle with mental healthcare is far more elemental. While recognition of mental health issues as a real problem is growing, most still have no access to any kind of professional mental health support and tend to be surrounded by relatives, friends and co-workers who have little idea of the challenges and needs that come with mental health issues.

It is in this context that the Mir Khalil ur Rahman Foundation (MKRF), in partnership with the British Asian Trust, is launching a nationwide mental health campaign using Geo/Jang platforms across Pakistan. This campaign, titled ‘Milkar’, aims to raise awareness of mental health issues, change mindsets, initiate efforts to understand and combat mental health problems and improve early detection of mental health issues. Media organizations and NGOs raising awareness of the problem is a critical part of the effort to tackle Pakistan’s growing mental health problem. These efforts must be backed by meaningful policy action at the state level. The number of mental health professionals available to Pakistanis must be raised and made available at an affordable price; mental health medication should be prioritized and access ensured for anyone who has a prescription. It is also time there was greater recognition of the problem at a grassroots level. We cannot afford to ignore this looming crisis.