Is mental health no different from physical health?

KARACHI: "Mental health is no different from physical health," the saying goes. Mental health difficulties can be inherited from a person's parents or picked up from their environment. Various activities, such as drug abuse, smoking, and tranquilliser use, can lead to mental health issues.

However, adults can also contribute to these problems, according to Prof Dr Imran Bashir Chaudhry, Chairman of Psychiatry and Consultant Psychiatrist at Dr Ziauddin Hospital.

College of Clinical Psychology, Ziauddin University, hosted the 16th interactive series of ZU Dialogues, titled "Make Mental Health and Well-Being for All a Global Priority." The event's top focus is prioritising mental health and making it accessible to everyone. The ZU Dialogue was the final event of Ziauddin University's weeklong mental health celebration.

Dr Imran Chaudhry furthers his point of view by stating, "You begin self-medicating to improve your mental health." Consequently, you begin smoking or using drugs. They self-medicate to receive the medication or consolation they ought to receive from friends and family. Such conduct can induce suicidal thoughts in others, which goes beyond the bounds of cowardice. You need to be honest with others while addressing your worries to maybe obtain solutions."

The statement that "every society has its myth about psychological illnesses" is not supported by the data on mental health difficulties. Those are merely the cases that have been publicised; what about those that have not? Mental illnesses can spread in various ways, even though they are not reflected in or influenced by others. Prof Dr Anila Amber Malik, Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology at the University of Karachi, states that the house is the first location that has the authority to promote a healthy environment.

She added, about domestic violence, that "while women are frequently the victims, men are also susceptible." Stop categorising objects and separating men and women, specifically in sports and colours. The same holds for fury and hostility. Instead of asserting that men are more prone to these emotions, refrain from asserting that children imitate their parents' behaviour from a young age. We must know the distinct behaviours of both parties in a relationship. Understanding oneself, priorities, and potential are essential, and they should all contribute to a healthy partnership."

"Drugs will not improve your mental health; you will die of frustration if you don't express yourself." As can be seen, individuals' levels of patience are decreasing. They no longer learn from their errors and are preoccupied with arguing with others. Mental sickness and irritation are to blame for this widespread lack of patience." According to Dr Mohammad Imran Yousuf, Psychologist, Master Trainer-NLP & Clinical Hypnotherapy, if you want to better your own life, you must improve the lives of others.

He continues advising students, "I believe it would be detrimental to our future if you run for office, so please abstain from doing so. Nobody will inquire about your grade point average or % in future fields, but they will notice your skills, abilities, and knowledge. Since we always try to be the best, we do not give knowledge to others if we are truthful with ourselves. I merely wish to advise you to stop being ungrateful and to eliminate negativity from your lives."

The professor and director of the Institute of Clinical Psychology, Dr Uzma Ali, discussed parental concerns with the pupils. "Family plays an essential role in every child's existence. Parental counselling is essential throughout child-rearing. Bullying among schoolchildren can occasionally result in anger; because they do not discuss it, they develop depression and other psychological problems. Parents' expectations — to acquire good grades and make you feel like you must achieve something you cannot — are an additional cause of unhappiness. As a result of these problems, individuals experience despair and develop new pleasure-seeking habits."

"Are we prepared to freely debate certain problems that warrant discussion"? We are not attempting to raise awareness that everyone has a place to address concerns that need to be more widely acknowledged. Those concerns that are swept under the rug, such as sexual problems, must be discussed on large stages so that people feel comfortable discussing them. Prof Dr Zainab Zadeh, Clinical Psychologist Consultant, Former Dean and Director of the Institute of Professional Psychology at Bahria University, Karachi.

She stated, "Sexual issues are becoming a significant taboo, but the stigma and awareness around it can only be eliminated if you enable that person to provide the necessary information to implement it."

Dr Syed Ahmed Asif, Head of Department, Assistant Officer, Department of Neurology, Liaquat National Hospital, stated in his remarks that my theory is that competition is instilled in children from a young age, causing them to believe they must compete for the best jobs and grades, which leads to depression and anxiety in the young person. The pressure from society and family to be the best among your peers if you want to become a doctor or the greatest overall, which is incorrect, is frequently the source of frustration. Previously, we spent time with our families, but now we can use technology to communicate with them.

Dr Shehla Sidiki, dean of the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, stated in her welcoming speech, "It's okay to not be okay." Even though the importance of mental health is increasingly recognised by people worldwide, there is still much work to be done, particularly in Pakistan.

Dr Irfan Hyder mentioned that spending time with your children is vital, but be cautious about what you ask for; if you ask for your plan, that implies you're taking his time; however, if you discuss his plan, you're giving him your time.

During the dialogue session, Moderator Amir Shahzad, Convener of ZU Dialogue, shared survey results collected from different parts of the world regarding mental health cases during the lockdown and pandemic (July 20 to June 21): "Anxiety percentage increased from 6.33 per cent to 50.9 per cent, depression from 14.6 per cent to 48.3 per cent, Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from 7 per cent to 53.8 per cent, psychological distress from 34.4 per cent to 38 per cent, and stress from 8.1