KARACHI: To commemorate the World Mental Health Day 2017 and create awareness of the seriousness of mental health in Pakistan, the psychiatric and rehabilitative centre Karwan-i-Hayat organised an event on Tuesday, taking a positive step towards eradicating the stigma attached to mental illnesses.

Patients, their families, mental health professionals along with citizens concerned were present on the occasion and were told in detail about mental health issues in the workplace, which is this year’s theme.

According to the WHO, a large part of our adult lives is spent at work, so workspaces need to keep the mental health of their employees as a priority.

“Employers and managers who put in place workplace initiatives to promote mental health and support employees who have mental disorders see gains not only in the health of their employees but also in their productivity at work.

As per WHO, by 2020 five of the top 10 medical problems worldwide will be stress-related

“A negative working environment, on the other hand, may lead to physical and mental health problems which result in alcoholism, absenteeism and lost productivity.

“A recent WHO-led study estimates that depression and anxiety disorders cost the global economy US$ 1 trillion each year in lost productivity,” it was said.

Shaniera Akram, who was the chief guest, spoke about the need for such topics to be discussed in public.

“We need to educate, comfort and support patients and their families.

“Today, we are here to make the fear disappear. Depression is one of the largest causes of disability and one of the biggest health issues in the workplace. Depression affects millions of people in the world,” Shaniera, the wife of Pakistan’s former legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram, explained.

“If your environment is positive, you have a much better chance of getting well. It is not a contagious monster but a treatable problem. Support and treatment play an important part in the recovery of the patient,” she added.

Also included in the lineup were different performances by patients from Karwan-i-Hayat. Some sang songs, while others acted out skits.

The nursing staff from the Aga Khan University Hospital was also present and performed on stage exploring how mental stress in the workplace tends to overflow into people’s personal lives.

Dr Zafar Haider, while discussing the issue, said: “About 75 to 90 per cent visits to physicians are stress-related. According to the WHO, by the year 2020, five of the top 10 medical problems worldwide will be stress-related.”

He outlined some of the risk factors that studies suggested were threatening mental health in the workplace. Those included inadequate health and safety practices, politics, unfair practices, lack of support from superiors, bullying and psychological harassment.

Dr Uroosa Talib, consultant psychiatrist and head of medical services at Karwan-i-Hayat, also briefed the audience about the work the rehabilitative centre had been doing since the last three decades.

Published in Dawn, October 11th, 2017