Breaking Boundaries: Shedding Light on Mental Health Stigmatization in Pakistan
- Pakistan faces significant mental health challenges, with an estimated 10-16% of the population affected and stigma exacerbating the issue.
- Mental health awareness campaigns and integrating spiritual healers into mainstream healthcare can help address and reduce stigma.
- Collective efforts from the government, healthcare professionals, community leaders, and individuals are essential for improving mental health support and acceptance in Pakistan.
Pakistan, with an area of about 803,940 square kilometers and a population of 235.8 million (WHO, 2022), faces significant mental health challenges. Approximately 10-16% of the population suffers from mental illness, with women being disproportionately affected. One report indicates that 15 million people, or 8% of the population, need mental health care. Additionally, some doctors estimate that around 40% of Pakistan’s 180 million residents experience common mental disorders..
What is mental health? The first crucial step is to properly define it as many people even not aware of any mental disorder that affect our physical body. In simple language, mental health refers a person’s adjustment in society and his/her ability to cope with daily life stressors. If someone has not internal capacity to deal with the life conflicts, the condition may lead to mental sufferings for a chronic period. Common mental health problems have been identified in both the rural and urban population which seems to have a positive association with socio-economic adversities, relationship problems and lack of social support. Depressive and anxiety disorders appear to be highest followed by bipolar, schizophrenia, psychosomatic disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Currently, the stigma against mental illness is rampant in Pakistan. It is sustained by popular belief in spiritual cures, exorcising evil spirits, experimenting with herbal cures and reciting verses from the Quran and a lack of awareness about the phenomenon of mental illness itself. The Pakistani government also plays a large role in the continued stigmatization of mental illness. Only 2.4 percent of Pakistan’s annual expenditure goes toward health, and out of that, a mere 2 percent is set aside for mental health.
The stigma creates a blockade for all those who require treatment, via counselling, medication or a combination of the both. People dodge mental health care to avoid being labeled negatively. “Paagal” or crazy is often used as a common insult, totally disregarding that an impaired or altered mental state can occur to any individual at any time. Prejudice stemming from stigma surrounding mental health is damaging, robbing people of educational opportunities, access to employment, health care and housing. Not only that, these are based on stereotypes of what mental health disorders/conditions look like. Individuals can practice something called self-stigma, where they apply those negative stereotypes to themselves.
How can this perception be changed? There are various mitigating measures should be taken to tackle this issue are as follow;
- The awareness campaigns should be promoted at large scale to educate the public regarding adverse impacts of mental health suffering.
- Encouraging empathy and understanding towards those dealing with mental health challenges can also play a significant role in breaking down barriers.
- People should be briefed about the popular mediums as television plays or short skits, that have the power of positively impacting behavior and changing mindsets across a larger population.
- The importance of including spiritual healers in the mainstream health-care and referral system has also been recognized by the National Mental Health Programme, as they are frequently the ones having first contact with individuals who are mentally ill.
- Additionally, promoting access to mental health resources and support can help individuals feel more comfortable seeking help when needed.
Overall, addressing mental health stigmatization in Pakistan requires a collective effort from the government, healthcare professionals, community leaders, and individuals themselves. By working together to raise awareness and provide support, we can break boundaries and create a more accepting and understanding society for those struggling with mental health issues in Pakistan.
The author is a psychologist, having keen interests in: psychology, spirituality, mental health and politics
