ONE of the most common narratives surrounding mental health is the stigma attached to it and this is the topic that ultimately receives funding from donors.

Mental health, according to the World Health Organisation, is “a state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.”

According to this definition, mental health is something we all possess; and we can move up and down this spectrum. Psychology is still a relatively young field. Unlike medicine which has had thousands of years of trials and errors, strategic investigations, breakthroughs and innovations, the study of human behaviour is limited. Though we now know much more about why humans behave in a certain way and what causes mental distress and illness, only highly trained specialists are able responsibly address the nuances in mental health – why one intervention may be more suitable for a specific client than another; which combinations should be tried; which therapies are backed by research and evidence.

With a large cohort of mental health practitioners popping up after short courses and diplomas in counselling, awareness about mental health has improved and an access point has been created. However, in Pakistan’s context, for a layman who may not understand the difference between mental health and illness, their role may be equated to that of a psychiatric or psychological specialist. Without rigorous training in psychology and regulation under a unified body, this may further promote incorrect information, maladaptive practices, and inherently increase stigma.

In this regard, it becomes all the more important for institutions and specialists to guide newer practitioners. Regulatory bodies are trying to establish guidelines and requirements which will allow qualified mental health practitioners to become embedded in primary and tertiary care settings serving larger populations as well as private practice.

Once mental health becomes a normative service in hospitals and other healthcare settings, a distinction can be made between those suffering from mental illness and those wanting to work on their mental health generally, both of which are becoming increasingly important.

Mehek Ali

Karachi

Published in Dawn, March 23rd, 2019