Why Schools need to make Mental Health a priority.
We live in a country where access to basic healthcare is restricted. Despite an increase in facilities in recent years, our vast population puts a strain on the current system and contributes to gaps in the management of the public healthcare system. The obvious answer is that the onus lies on the state to ensure the wellbeing of its people. However, the reality remains that the public healthcare system is currently not able to function independently in light of the vast demands of the overwhelming number of people it needs to serve. With the economy being where it is and most people, (especially in far flung areas) having to rely on self financing their medical treatments — it is not surprising that conversations around mental health tend to take a back seat.
According to a recent publication, only 36% of 3500 respondents of a study had awareness about psychological complications and mental health needs. Only about 16% of this population was aware of medication as a viable treatment option, while 42% were aware of psychotherapy as an option for treatment. While it is simple and straightforward to band together mental health accessibility with the healthcare system and look towards the state to find solutions, we must understand that realistically this does not seem like a viable solution. Which then begs the question of where else does responsibility lie? There is long standing precedent of the private sector taking on (and benefitting from) tasks that might be seen as state responsibilities. Private schools, Private hospitals, Private transportation systems etc. etc. These opportunities were availed because there was a demand for them.
The lack of awareness around mental health can perhaps be contributed to the education system failing to acknowledge its role and responsibility to teach children about mental health. It is so far removed from conversations that people are not aware that they need support and resources and this can contribute towards a lack of demand that could push the private sector to create more resources and options for people to seek help. This is not to say that no resources exist, of course, but that there needs to be better help, which can also be accessed by people belonging to varied socio-economic brackets.
Should schools not hold and contain some kind of responsibility to do more to safeguard the mental health of their students while simultaneously creating awareness around it? Currently schools contribute to creating a highly stressful environment for children. Many contribute to psychological and physical distress and a threat to children’s safety. Childhood trauma effects not only how we function as adults, but also contributes to changes in the way the brain’s memory system functions.
Schools have the potential to be an agent of change in the current mental health climate of Pakistan. Not only can they help students explore options for existing support, they can create safe spaces for them to explore their emotions and learn to manage them better. They have the potential to help the future generation learn to be kind and empathetic while mitigating the long lasting mental health issues that can be contributed to traumatic and distressing childhoods. Not only this, they have the potential to become a safe, supportive environment for children/adolescents/teenagers experiencing trauma at home or in other areas of life.
