Daily Times

In Pakistan, it is easy to label someone ‘crazy’ or ‘manic’, which is not quite the norm in socially developed countries. There are countless stigmas not only associated with the job of a psychologist but the sufferers and victims of mental illness. Allow me to first debunka few false myths about psychology; not all psychologists are lunatics and professionally constrained in treating people. Many uncover crimes, help create and reconstruct organisational policies and view things from a multidimensional perspective. Not all of us are clinical psychologists either. We work in law enforcement, hospitals, business organisations and some of us have private practices of our own.

Perhaps the most important stigma related to mental illness is namecalling of victims. Let’s establish a fact here and now; they are not mentally deranged individuals. They are victims who need our support. Like you and I, they are normal human beings who wish to live normal lives, if we let them. In fact, narrative like this is dishonest and stems from one’s own insecurities. I would not be surprised if Pakistanis are equated with the word ‘bully’. Shaming of victims is a curse and those who brazenly torment others often lead unauthentic lives and let criticism define who they are.

Perhaps the most important stigma related to mental illness is name-calling of victims. Let’s establish a fact here and now: they are not mentally deranged individuals. They are victims who need our support

Pakistanis should realise the importance of mental health and illness. We all experience anxiety and stress one way or another in our lives. The only difference is that of the problem’s intensity and magnitude. Mental illness is not merely bound to schizophrenia, mood disorders or Down Syndrome. There is more to it. We come across many people every day who seem normal to us, but in all honesty, they are miserable. They mask their true selves to avoid backlash and social labels. Unfortunately, we aggravate their problems and redundantly blame them for who they are. They have not chosen to live this way. People who go through hell know what it looks like because they have experienced it. OCD, clinical depression, self-harm and suicide ideation are neglected societal problems in Pakistan. We choose not to discuss them because we are voiceless.

A few weeks ago, a young boy committed suicide by jumping off of the fourth floor at Centaurus, Islamabad. He had attempted suicide twice but made it his mission to end his life this time around. It was his choice, not an imposition. He was undergoing therapy but it did not comfort him as such. His peers often bullied him but no onestopped to think for once what he was going through. Their aggression only worsened his state of mind. There are thousands and millions of youngsters and adults in Pakistan who are victims of chronic depression and mental illnesses. Not all of them are given media coverage.

As a dysfunctional society, we have failed each other. Why do we need empathy when we are apathetic? Why should we care when we are indifferent? Why should we understand silence when every part of us wants to scream? We are Pakistan, after all. People who mistake mental illness for supernatural phenomenon are living examples of negligence and ignorance. Have we ever set a goal to make a minor difference in the lives of others, not simply satisfying their material needs but understanding their problems? Have we ever stepped into the shoes of those who seem depressed to us? We are incapable of doing it because we lack empathy and morality. If we devote five minutes of our day in helping others, it will not only change their perspective but help mold our own. You do not have to know someone personally to support him or her; you just need to be human. Instead of creating hurdles for someone already going through a storm, be a facilitator and an empathetic soul.

It is quite unbelievable to think that one has to discuss humanity in today’s day and age. Having perpetuated stereotypes about suicide and mental illness for so long, it has assumed the lives of thousands in Pakistan alone. A report published in 2016 stated that about 50 million adults in Pakistan suffer from mental illness. This alarming statistic should be the basis of contemplation and action. In view of politics, the government should advocate for mental illness and disorders that are rampant in our society. If there is a problem, one should identify it and instantaneously address it.

The government should be holistic in its approach to a better society; they must not only invest in education and economy, but mental healthcare too. Although special education centers exist in Pakistan, there is more to mental illness than Down Syndrome and autism. If 10-20 percent of the population is suffering from an illness that is not socially manifested, such as clinical depression as opposed to OCD, what is the predicted outcome? No action, as we consider them as normal human beings when in truth, they are the victims of mental illness.Therefore, the government should be responsible enough to speak on behalf of those who suffer, not simply implement policies that are exclusive of every societal problem.

Published in Daily Times, July 11^th 2018.