May is Mental Health Awareness Month. With the current global pandemic causing stress and uncertainty, we should talk openly about taking care of our mental health and seeking help if needed during this crisis. It’s important to remember that while only a certain percentage of us will catch the virus, each and every one of us will be psychologically impacted by this outbreak.

In Pakistan, an estimated 50 million people suffer from mental health disorders, and it is believed that mental illness will be among the leading causes of death in our country by 2030. Reports have estimated that approximately 13,000 people in Pakistan committed suicide in 2012. Correspondingly, a report published by WHO in 2018 stated that the 2016 suicide mortality rate (suicides per 100,000 deaths) in Pakistan was 2.9, while it was 15.3 in the US, 12.5 in Canada, 15.9 in Finland, 17.7 in France, 13.6 in Germany, 16.5 in Japan, and 8.9 in the UK. This reveals that developed countries are more likely to factually report suicides, and that Pakistan’s numbers may be grossly under-reported.

Section 325 of the Pakistan Penal Code is another reason why many suicides go unreported here. The law states that attempting suicide is a criminal offence, which is punishable with imprisonment and must be reported to the police. The criminalization of suicide and suicidal attempts makes it increasingly difficult for people to seek help from institutions, leaving them feeling hopeless and helpless. In Pakistan, experts have found that amongst the people who decided to end their lives, 71% suffered from depression, 12% from anxiety, 11% from behavioral problems, 2% from bereavement, another 2% from eating disorders, and 1% suffered sexual abuse, while 1% of the cases could not be diagnosed. Although our country has taken steps in the past to increase awareness about the importance of mental health, it’s unfortunate that we still live in a society where mental health illnesses and self-harm are largely stigmatized and criminalized.

With a global pandemic on our hands, it’s crucial that we prioritize our mental health and realize the impact it has on all of us. Measures of social distancing and isolation can increase feelings of loneliness, anxiety and stress. Research indicates that social isolation can have negative mental health effects particularly among older adults and adolescents. Unemployment or uncertainty about job stability have also been associated with increased depression, anxiety, distress, and low self-esteem. The International Labor Organization (ILO) reported that over 125 million people were unemployed this year due to loss of working hours and lockdowns in Asia. Unemployment in developing countries like Pakistan are rising to alarming levels due to COVID-19 and its impact on the mental health of our country may be felt for many years.

Other major risk factors that may add up to cause mental illnesses include poverty, unemployment, feeling of social failure, poor nutrition, the plight of abandoned children, reliance on witchcraft or religiously inspired ‘exorcism’, the stigmatizing of mental illness, exposure to violence at workplace, sexual harassment, bullying, rude behavior, physical or even verbal aggression and threats to one’s physical or mental integrity, and the alienation of members of a family from one another.

If you’re feeling anxious about the COVID-19 outbreak or otherwise, you can easily book an appointment for a virtual counseling session with any of our certified therapists. Therapy is an excellent outlet to improve your mental health and brain function. It helps promote one's self-esteem, relationships, and outlook on life. A therapist can help provide a fresh perspective on an issue that may seem unnerving to you. They can give you a better understanding of your own emotions and elevate your communication skills to help you convey those emotions. Sign up on our portal and book yourself an appointment.

Project Imdad: Free of Cost Virtual Counseling for Healthcare Workers

Although this is a tough time for everyone, it is particularly difficult for doctors and healthcare providers all around the world. Understanding the psychological impact of this pandemic among healthcare workers is crucial in order to maintain their well-being during this crisis. The Center of Inclusive Care (CIC) and Shifaam have initiated Project Imdad, which aims to ensure the mental health and wellness of our front-line healthcare heroes. CIC therapists have volunteered to offer free of cost virtual counseling sessions on our platform for healthcare professionals who might be looking for support. These sessions are conducted to help de-stress and lift some of the anxieties that may have built up for medical workers due to their stressful jobs. Are you a healthcare professional? Would you like to register yourself for a free counseling session with a certified therapist? Book an appointment now and let us support you.

Sources:

Dawn News
https://www.dawn.com/news/1288880
https://www.dawn.com/news/1553941
https://www.dawn.com/news/1511311

The Nation
https://nation.com.pk/12-Feb-2020/the-silent-plague

Pakistan Observer
https://pakobserver.net/over-125m-unemployed-amid-covid-19-in-asia/

The News
https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/614383-dispelling-myths-about-mental-health