APROPOS the article ‘Mental health crisis’ (Jan 6). Mental health in Pakistan is a serious issue because of the prevailing stressful life style.

People get up in the morning and the stress begins owing to the loadshedding of electricity and gas. Another major perennial issue is no water in taps. So people have to chase tankers and pay exorbitantly for water supply that lasts less than a week.

To add to the stress, the prices of daily consumer items are rising at an alarming pace and it seems there is no official control over this free-for-all.

Absurd and inane happenings are (pun intended) the ‘new’ news. Mindless repetition of the event over and over again adds to the mayhem. Channels presenting round-the-clock entertainment are no better. Their dramas portray family disputes and business rivalries and the angst that accompanies it.

I pine for the early years of PTV when people sat in front of the idiot box to watch programmes to relax.

To lessen some of the stress one prays that the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority can do something to rein in these channels. As for electricity and gas loadshedding, and inflation, the people seem resigned to the shortages and high prices.

All is still not lost and this senior citizen has pinned high hopes on the government that has promised change to give affordable utilities, education, healthcare and essential commodities of life at reasonable rates.

Akber D. Vazir

Karachi

Published in Dawn, January 12th, 2019