A multifaceted approach is required to deal with this issue on individual, social, and government levels

Throughout the ages, one of the most important and yet perhaps the most overlooked challenges that people have faced has been that of mental health. Even today, we are no strangers to the spread of mental illnesses within our midst. And what with the recent happenings in the world – like the Covid-19 pandemic – only serving to exacerbate the situation, it is high time measures start to be taken for improving the mental health of people in Pakistan.

What measures can be taken towards this effort then? It is important to understand that this undertaking is of no small magnitude, and a multifaceted approach is required to deal with this issue on individual, social, and government levels.

Individual level:

Change starts from within. We have all heard this saying in many different contexts, and it is no less true in this one. We have a responsibility to ourselves, and when it comes to improving mental health, each individual can do a number of things to regulate or better their own well-being.

One of these things is taking care of physical health. This includes regularly exercising, eating a balanced diet, and getting adequate sleep. As an added bonus, engaging in activities such as taking walks, going for a jog, or doing yoga, cannot just greatly help to reduce stress and anxiety, but also prove to be an enjoyable pastime.

Another important thing one can do for oneself is to prioritize self-care. Taking the time out to do something that you enjoy or find relaxing can go a long way in regulating mental health, and hobbies such as journaling and reading can play an important part as healthy coping mechanisms against negative emotions.

Social level:

Arguably the most important level, perhaps a significant change in this level may just be able to bring the prevalence of mental health problems to new lows. There are many, many things that can – and should – be done here.

The first step is to promote social support and break down the stigma associated with mental illnesses. Only when the attached stigma is broken can there be any hope of change. This can be tackled by community events, workshops, and public forums dedicated to giving a voice to this much overlooked issue and bring it to the knowledge of more and more people.

Moreover, educational institutions play a tremendously huge part in shaping a huge percentage of people into who they turn out to be, and as such, mental health education and awareness programs should be incorporated within their curriculum and given more importance to.

Another thing that can play a huge role in improving mental health on the social level is tackling work environments. Employers can offer mental health benefits, promote a work-life balance, and create a positive work environment free of negativity.

Government level:

The government is the biggest force that holds the power to revolutionize the state of mental health in the country, and it can achieve so by a number of things.

The allocation of more funds and resources to improving mental health services and integrating them into primary healthcare will certainly open the way for many individuals to be able to get the help they need to fight their mental illnesses. Not only that but organizing and holding nationwide awareness campaigns for this cause will shed light on the matter and it can encourage more people to get the treatment they need.

The government can also work to develop a national policy surrounding mental health in order to ensure that mental health services are available and accessible nationwide. This also means establishing more mental health clinics and hospitals and providing quality training to related healthcare workers.

Needless to say, mental health is no unimportant matter, and working towards improving it in our country is a vital cause. From an individual scale, all the way to the government scale, it can be assured that the poor mental health of the people in Pakistan can indeed be fought and revitalized if proper measures are taken timely and efficiently. It is not a far stretch to indulge in thinking that if we are able to do so, we may just create a society where Pakistanis feel that they are supported, and their mental health is undeniably valued.