I AM in the final year of BS in applied psychology. I wish to highlight the very important yet overlooked issue of unethical practices by clinicians in Pakistan. Mental health of a person is as important as physical health, but due to stigmatisation, few dare to approach psychologists and psychiatrists. Those few are also maltreated by some clinicians.
Unfortunately, clinicians do not follow any ethical guidelines in Pakistan. It is due to the absence of any governmental regulatory authority. In other countries, there are regulatory authorities both at federal and state levels. These agencies issue certificate and licence after carefully testing the competence of a clinician and even after licensure a clinician must get it renewed periodically.
In Pakistan, every clinician uses his/her personal insight while treating mentally ill patients. Patients suffer from mental anguish because of clinicians’ ignorance.
The government should set up regulatory agencies for certification and licensure of mental health professionals on merit and must devise ethical guidelines for practitioners. Ethical guidelines are necessary because they provide a basis for accountability and clients can be protected from unethical practices.
Fakhar Razzaq
Toba Tek Singh
(2)
DESPITE being a matter of critical significance, mental health has never been a priority of successive governments. May is observed as the ‘mental health awareness month’, and it provides a timely reminder that mental health is important and those battling with issues need compassion and care. It is every individual’s duty to raise awareness about the importance of mental health, let people know that many of the afflictions are common and treatable, and reduce the stigma associated with such conditions. There is a need to create more space for people where they can share their struggles without fear of being judged or mocked.
The coronavirus pandemic and lockdowns have affected many people’s mental health adversely. We must be kind to each other and make each other feel that they are loved, cared and heard.
Mahan Aslam
Turbat
Published in Dawn, May 25th, 2021
