As a society, we avoid seeking help from mental health professionals. But with the rise of global mental health campaigns....
HEALTHWISE
As a society, we avoid seeking help from mental health professionals. But with the rise of global mental health campaigns, and with more and more people working to reduce the stigmas associated with mental health, our society is also beginning to recognise and acknowledge the mental health needs of people.
What is mental health?
Mental health is generally a term used to refer to a person’s emotional well-being. According to World Health Organisation (WHO) good mental health is “a state of well-being in which every individual realises their potential, can cope with the stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to their community.” The WHO emphasises that good health is not only the absence of sickness, but rather a state of physical, mental and social wellness.
Poor mental health is a state in which a person experiences difficulties with other people; struggles to manage day to day stresses; cannot work productively; cannot recognise and utilise their full potential; and often experiences unpleasant thoughts and emotions.
Ethics in mental health care
When a person is seeing a mental health professional for help, they are entitled to the following:
This means that whatever the person shares with the mental health professional is kept between the two of them. In case a person is a minor (below 18 years), or a person is at risk of harming themselves or other people, the information could be shared with family and other senior faculty members.
The mental health professional should maintain ethical standards, and must avoid misrepresentation. At times, due to poor monitoring by professional bodies, psychologists have prescribed medications to their patients - if you are seeing a psychologist, remember that they cannot give you any medication. If they feel you need medication, they should refer you to a psychiatrist.
Similarly, the mental health professional is also entitled to:
A psychologist or psychiatrist might help you with your emotional well-being, but that does not mean you should add them on social media; start referring to them as though they were your friends; or begin calling them on the phone outside of your appointments. You cannot establish other relationships or friendships with someone who is your psychiatrist or psychologist.
How to locate mental health professionals
If you or someone you know is looking for a psychologist or psychiatrist, here are ways in which you can locate one. counseling.pk is a website dedicated to listing counsellors and psychologists in major cities. Psychology Matters (Asia) is another website that lists counselors, psychologists and psychiatrists in Pakistan.
Additionally, there are organisations such as Sahil or Rozan that offer online counselling free of cost.
