Pakistan Association for Mental Health Celebrates World Mental Health Day at Karachi Press Club
A recent event organized by the Pakistan Association for Mental Health (PAMH) emphasized the importance of mental health in the workplace, stating that happy and healthy employees can lead to higher productivity. The gathering took place at the Karachi Press Club on Sunday in honor of World Mental Health Day.
The event was inaugurated by rights activist Anis Haroon and PAMH President Dr. Syed Ali Wasif, alongside the launch of several pharmaceutical stalls. This year’s theme, announced by the World Federation for Mental Health, is “It’s Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace.”
Established in 1965, PAMH has been working to raise awareness about mental health and operates free mental health clinics under the guidance of Prof. Syed Haroon Ahmed. During the event, PAMH General Secretary Dr. Ajmal Mughal shared the annual report, while Dr. Wasif delivered a keynote speech highlighting the links between mental health and socioeconomic factors in Pakistan, such as illiteracy, high inflation (19.87%), and unemployment (8.5%).
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global economy loses about $1 trillion annually in productivity due to depression and anxiety. Dr. Wasif pointed out that around 21.5% of Pakistanis live below the poverty line, with food insecurity affecting nearly 37% of the population. He noted that the stress of financial insecurity has a severe impact on mental health.
A study mentioned by Dr. Wasif revealed that 61% of people experience anxiety, 55% suffer from depression, and 25% have thoughts of suicide. He criticized the traditional workplace culture in Pakistan, which often prioritizes productivity over employees’ mental well-being, leading to stress and burnout.
The event also featured a documentary titled “Unseen,” produced by Uzair Surhio, addressing issues such as human rights abuses and sexual harassment in the workplace. Anis Haroon expressed concerns regarding the Sexual Harassment Act of 2010 and its amendments, revealing that one in three women and one in six men face harassment at work. Sadly, 52% of women reported experiencing verbal abuse, and 19% faced physical abuse.
The time has come for Pakistan to confront the stigma surrounding mental health and to implement effective workplace mental health programs. Anis emphasized the need for public education campaigns to raise awareness about mental health and encourage individuals to seek help.
The program concluded with a panel discussion featuring experts like Dr. Ajmal Mughal, Advocate Shazia Nizamani, and Brigadier Shoaib Ahmed. They all agreed on the necessity of integrating mental health services into primary health care to address mental health issues effectively at the grassroots level.