BY: Gul Bashra Askar
What countries are part of South Asia?
● Afghanistan
● Bangladesh
● Bhutan
● India
● Maldives
● Nepal
● Pakistan
● Sri Lanka
Why is mental health a taboo in South Asia?
There is no such thing as a “mental health disorder” in the South Asian countries, and part of the blame can be taken by the cultural embarrasement where it is common to shove everything under the carpet. In South Asia, word spreads like wildfire, and especially a word about anyone having any sort of a mental
illness will cause the victim to welcome end days filled with worry and anxiety ignited by the society. Mental health is rarely discussed as it will lead to damage to the family's status and reputation, because South Asians are very judgemental and do not tend to mask their opinions.
In south Asia, the presence of psychiatrists is like the presence of salt in flour (negligibale amount) Prof Dinesh Bhugra, an expert in mental health at King's College London, says the South Asian population has "a bigger notion of shame" than others in the UK. Many also fear admitting mental illness will prevent them from getting married - a particular concern among a society in which arranged marriages play an important role.
He says he has found many in the community do not consider it a medical issue, but instead put mental illness down to other factors "such as a superstitious belief that there is something they did in their previous life and they're being punished".
Part of the problem, he believes, is language.
"There is no word for depression in South Asian languages," he says. "The identified causes are usually [put down to] 'life's ups and downs'.
"So, people say 'what has it got to do with a doctor?'"
The language barrier can also be an obstacle to diagnosis.
Kal Dhindsa, whose father and uncle both killed themselves, wrote a book about the tragedy; My Father & The Lost Legend of Pear Tree.
"In our culture, men are seen as the breadwinner, men of the house, top of their game," he said. "So sufferers try to remain strong and we don't talk about it.
"Women also find it hard to talk because they fear they'll be labelled as 'possessed'."
But he believes his community should address the lack of communication about mental health that leads to people suffering in silence.
"My dad didn't share what was on his mind - and he took his life," he said.
"In retrospect the signs were there. We, as a community, need to talk more about these 'difficult' things. Talking is the cure to this illness."
Almost 23% of the world’s population lives in eight South Asian countries. All these countries share many similarities in living and development standards. All the South Asian countries suffer from an inadequate supply of appropriate medical facilities, primarily attributable to the region’s high population density. South Asia has a wide range of contrasts. This region has experienced substantial social and economic transformations in the last few decades. Mental, neurological, and drug use problems account for most of the disease burden in South Asian countries. The population of South Asia is multicultural, religious, and socioeconomically heterogeneous; it is also growing too fast. However, few studies have estimated the prevalence and burden of this region’s psychiatric disorders
How to deal with these taboos surrounding mental health?
● Get treatment. You may be reluctant to admit you need treatment. Don't let the fear of being labeled with a mental illness prevent you from seeking help. Treatment can provide relief by identifying what's wrong and reducing symptoms that interfere with your work and personal life.
● Don't let stigma create self-doubt and shame. Seeking counseling, educating yourself about your condition and connecting with others who have mental illness can help you gain self-esteem and overcome destructive self-judgment.
● Don't isolate yourself. If you have a mental illness, you may be reluctant to tell anyone about it. Reach out to people you trust for the compassion, support and understanding you need.
● Don't equate yourself with your illness. You are not an illness. So instead of saying "I'm bipolar," say "I have bipolar disorder." Instead of calling yourself "a schizophrenic," say "I have schizophrenia."
● Join a support group. Some local and national groups, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), offer local programs and internet resources that help reduce stigma by educating people who have mental illness, their families and the general public.
● Get help at school. If you or your child has a mental illness that affects learning, find out what plans and programs might help. Discrimination against students because of a mental illness is against the law, and educators at primary, secondary and college levels are required
to accommodate students as best they can. Talk to teachers, professors or administrators about the best approach and resources. If a teacher doesn't know about a student's disability, it can lead to discrimination, barriers to learning and poor grades.
● Speak out against stigma. Consider expressing your opinions at events, in letters to the editor or on the internet. It can help instill courage in others facing similar challenges and educate the public about mental illness.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
https://www.commonwealthroundtable.co.uk/commonwealth/eurasia/south-asia/opinion-mental-healt h-in-south-asia-a-growing-cause-for-concern/
Comments