World Mental Health Day: Greater Awareness, Direct Action Needed In Sindh, Stress Experts

The government has instituted laws on mental health but has yet to implement them amid an environment that is adversely affecting the mental health of youngsters

World Mental Health Day: Greater Awareness, Direct Action Needed In Sindh, Stress Experts

The mental health of youth in parts of Sindh, especially in impoverished, water-stressed and climate-change-affected areas of Thar and Umerkot, has been deteriorating for years. Mental health experts have stressed the need for implementing laws created by the provincial government in this regard, upgrading mental health care delivery and education institutions, in addition to addressing root causes of stressors causing mental health issues to residents.

During the past two decades, a surge has been witnessed in cases related to mental health in Pakistan. It is estimated that around 50 million Pakistanis are experiencing mental health issues but are unable to access support due to stigma, awareness and absence of mental health care and services. A large number of youth in the country are suffering from mental health-related issues due to several factors, including job-related stress (finding employment and retaining employment) and uncertainty concerning their future.

The situation is worse in the remote areas of Sindh, which lack well-equipped mental health facilities and care. Hotspot areas in Sindh include Thar and Umerkot, where the ratio of suicide and mental health cases is high, while they lack any advanced mental health faculty to curb it.
 
The nearest mental health facility they can access is located in Hyderabad, called Sir Cowasjee Jehangir Institute of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences. The institute is a major mental health institute of Sindh, which was established in 1852 by Engineer Sir Cowasjee Jahangeer. Since it is the only government-run mental health-related centre serving several neighbouring districts, the Sindh government made numerous promises to enhance its capacity, upgrade its facilities and transform it into a modern mental health university. But when the Sindh government fulfils these promises, it is anybody's guess.

Eminent Jurist of Hyderabad Jhamat Mal Dr Jamil Junejo, who has a team of competent medical practitioners with a specialisation in the field of psychiatry, stated that the provincial government had approved 2019 an act to run the mental health institute in Hyderabad. However, he lamented that they had yet to witness the law's practical implementation. Similarly, the provincial government had passed a law titled Sindh Mental Health Act 2015, but its practical implementation has been rare. 

Dr Junejo pointed out that Section 49 of the law says: "A person who attempts suicide, including an accused of blasphemy, shall be assessed by an approved psychiatrist and if found to be suffering from a mental disorder shall be treated appropriately under the provisions of this act."

Per this law, investigating agencies should consider the mental health of the alleged perpetrator during their investigations, but this is rarely considered.

Mental health issues appear to be rising faster among the youth and domestic women.

Mental health practitioner Dr Iqra Rahim explained that victims of domestic violence are more prone to mental health issues, especially those who are confined to their houses and are prevented from enjoying a social life.

Dr Karim Nathani, a medical practitioner at Miyo Clinics of USA, said that past traumas, genetics, and the environment around us contribute significantly to shaping a person's mental approaches. He further said today, the excessive use of electronic gadgets such as mobile phones was among the major reasons for mental health issues.

Another mental health care practitioner, Dr Adnan Khowaja, proposed organising mental health awareness sessions in remote areas to dispel the myths surrounding mental health, especially on seeking help for mental health issues. 

It is pertinent to mention here that October 10 is marked as World Mental Health Day. This year, the theme for the day is to take measures to reduce stress at the workplace. 

The author is a practicing lawyer and freelance journalist. His areas of interest are cultural diversity and socio-political issues of Sindh.