Tharparkar's mental health conundrum: Awareness and education key


By Mukhtar Alam

KARACHI: A staggering 70% of people surveyed in Tharparkar, Sindh, believe that mental illness is contagious, according to a research study conducted by the Sindh Mental Health Authority (SMHA). The study, which aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of mental health among Tharparkar residents, revealed alarming misconceptions and a lack of awareness about mental health issues.

The research team, led by Dr Abduk Razzaque Nohri of the Sindh Health Department, presented their findings at a ceremony held at the PMA House in Karachi on December 11. The study involved 5,378 respondents from all seven talukas of Tharparkar and was conducted over a period of three months. Dr Mahesh Kumar Malani, a member of the National Assembly and chairman of the National Health Services Regulation and Coordination committee, Islamabad, presided over the event, with Vice Chancellor of Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) Prof Dr Mohammad Saeed Qureshy as chief guest.

Key findings

According to the study, 60% of respondents believed that mental illnesses are treatable, while 24% thought that they can be treated through religious or faith healings. Furthermore, 26% of participants attributed mental illnesses to family events or conflicts, followed by stress (19%), God's punishment (12%), and other factors. The study also revealed that 52.5% of surveyed people demonstrated awareness about mental health issues, but 53% showed poor knowledge of mental illness. Additionally, 64% of participants exhibited an unfavorable attitude towards mental health, and 63% demonstrated unfavorable practices.

Barriers to mental health services

The researchers identified several barriers to seeking mental health services, including financial constraints and lack of awareness. As many as 28% of participants cited these factors as hindrances to seeking treatment. Moreover, 82% of respondents associated stigma and shame with having a family member diagnosed with a mental illness, while 88% feared interacting with individuals with mental health conditions. In terms of education, the researchers found that 46% of respondents were uneducated, followed by those with primary education (30.2%), secondary education (19%), and graduate-level education (5.1%). The participants' ages ranged from 18 to 75 years.

The study's findings highlight the urgent need for increased awareness and education about mental health issues in Tharparkar and beyond. The researchers emphasized the need for targeted mental health awareness campaigns, culturally sensitive education, and improved mental health services to reduce stigma and increase access to better mental healthcare for the people of Tharparkar.

The study was a joint effort by SMHA, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Thar Foundation, SCJ Institute of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences. Dignitaries, including DUHS VC Dr Saeed Qureshy, MNA Mahesh Kumar, and SMHA Chairman Dr Karim A Khowaja, called for comprehensive and holistic schemes to address mental health disorders, which are now common across the country. 

The researchers and speakers of the ceremony stressed the need for meaningful preventive and management policy interventions involving academia, health functionaries, and public health finances to improve socioeconomic conditions, availability of trained physicians and paramedics, and local capacities in terms of culture-related issues and community leadership.

Graphics: SMHA

With an uninterrupted 23-year career in daily journalism (1991-2013), the author/editor of this blog currently serves as Editor of Social Track, a weekly newspaper focused on social sectors, based in Karachi. Holding a master's degree in Mass Communications from the University of Karachi (1990), his professional experience includes roles as senior reporter at Daily Dawn, Karachi (May 2001-August 2013) and Chief Reporter at The News International, Karachi (April 1991-May 2001). He has a strong background in development journalism, he has an extensive portfolio of news stories, analytical reports and features covering a wide range of sectors. He has had the privilege of covering numerous high-profile figures, including Pakistani presidents, prime ministers, army chiefs, foreign dignitaries, and VVIPs and attending conferences and workshops abroad. He began his journalism career in the early 1980s. Throughout his career, he has received several national awards from government and private organisations. He has contributed to various radio and TV/channel broadcasts and has also served as a trainer at workshops in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, focused on training journalists.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

KU syndicate takes decisions on appointments, terminations

Image
IV report KARACHI: Under Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Khalid M Iraqi's guidance, the University of Karachi (KU) syndicate made key decisions on August 31, including appointments of department chairpersons, termination of two lecturers. The syndicate approved appointments of six department chairpersons and a director of institute: Professor Dr Sobia Anees Shahzad (Sociology), Professor Dr Shamshad Akhtar (Geography), Professor Dr Abdul Wahab (Microbiology), Dr Saima Akhtar (Public Administration), Dr Rahila Rehmat Zehra (Biotechnology) and Zaima Israr Mohiuddin (Commerce). Dr Irfan Aziz was appointed Director of Dr M Ajmal Khan Institute of Sustainable Halophytes Utilisation. The syndicate decided to remove two lecturers of the Physics department --Rabia Najam and Omair Ishaque-- from the services in the light of two separate inquiry reports, said a KU press release. The statutory body also endorsed recommendations of the university’s committee on unfair means for cancellation o...
Read more

KU syndicate greenlights SHEC building on campus, despite reservations

Image
By Mukhtar Alam KARACHI: The University of Karachi (KU) syndicate accepted a request from the Sindh Higher Education Commission (SHEC) to construct a complex on a two-acre prime land, despite some members' reservations. A four-member committee, headed by Engineer Memon Abdul Jabbar, will finalise the proposed land transfer modalities for the consideration of syndicate. The committee comprises three syndicate members, including two government appointees and a provincial government nominee. Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi chaired the meeting, addressing concerns raised by members, on August 31. According to a KU press release, the Sindh Higher Education Commission (SHEC) requested two acres of land for its building. The KU syndicate addressed concerns by stipulating that the SHEC building will be non-commercial and the land will remain KU property. “Upon SHEC's departure, KU administration will manage and govern the building." However, independent qua...
Read more

University of Karachi syndicate meeting mired in controversy

Image
IV Report KARACHI: The sixth meeting of the University of Karachi's syndicate for 2024, held on October 31, was marked by intense debate on several issues, including the promotion of 54 university officers to higher grades. A senior faculty member, Dr Riaz Ahmed, a syndicate member, expressed concerns that the university administration applies different criteria for promoting teaching and non-teaching staff. Despite the syndicate approving promotions for over 50 officers in grades 18 to 20, Dr Ahmed pointed out to the chair of the meeting, Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid M Iraqi, that the departmental promotion committee violated the syndicate's set policy by not including a syndicate member in the promotion committee, as decided in 2018. He also highlighted that eight candidates received higher grades under the Incentive Scheme, despite already availing of the benefit twice, which undermines the rules. Other contentious issues included disagreements over the minutes of ...
Read more