Being a third world country with a literacy rate of only 58%, topics like mental health seldom get discussed or acknowledged in Pakistan. With its population facing problems like hunger, unemployment, lack of basic facilities and poverty, mental health barely makes it to the list of priorities that our people have. While some people even crave clean drinking water, even polio drops are not a priority for people, especially in villages. Hence, mental health gets easily ignored.
Though awareness about mental disorders is increasing due to media campaigns, celebrity endorsements and greater acceptability towards the fields of social sciences, small villages and towns remain victims of old beliefs and customs. For example, the concept of jinn or kaala jaadu (black magic) is still very prominent among the lower classes. Disorders like schizophrenia or multiple personality disorder easily get categorized as the doings of demons or other non-human beings. Peers and Mazaars (shrines) play a big role in how these illnesses are then treated and perceived to be cured. The belief in nazar (evil eye) also hinders people’s understanding and acceptance of mental disorders as actual illnesses.
Since Pakistan is also an Islamic state, religion also adds to people’s misconceptions about mental health. Believers of Islam hold Allah and His Will at the highest rank and direct all of their concerns towards Him in the hope that Allah will do what is best for them. It is also believed that Allah does not let harm get in the way of His followers. Hence, another approach towards mental health is to blame the person for not being religious enough or see their mental illness as a sign of being disconnected from Allah. For eg, common symptoms of depression such as hopelessness and despair are seen as signs of lack of religiosity instead of actual points of concern. Praying is considered to be the only means of treatment for people who are depressed or suicidal, and therapy and medication are not always considered.
As a third world country, resources for professional therapy and rehab are also limited in Pakistan. The taboo linked with medical illness also hinders people from reaching out from the fear of being judged by other people. Therapy is also often so expensive that the people who need it most can barely afford proper treatment.
Hence, multiple factors need to be considered before tackling the problem of mental health in Pakistan for the illnesses are rarely seen in isolation, and have various circumstances working together. Through education and improved attitudes, we can hope for greater awareness and empathy among our population and work towards a healthier and more accepting society.
The author Farheen is currently working as a content writer at The Dawood Foundation, but wishes to remain connected to the world of mental health, and spread awareness about the stigmas attached to it. Having struggled with mental health herself, Farheen found her refuge in words and hopes that others may find inspiration in those words also