Study stresses need for targeted campaigns, stronger community support to improve mental well-being in Tharparkar

It is unfortunate that we do research just to increase the number of publications rather than focusing on solving societal issues. It is very alarming that we do not have concrete research on our problems, and that is one of the major reasons that we have failed to resolve our issues.

In our society, we often speak about different diseases, and a majority of the masses believe that many of the diseases are new. However, this myth is wrong. They existed but remained unrecognized due to the lack of awareness, and that is why many of them remained undiagnosed.

These views were expressed by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Karachi Professor Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi on Thursday. He was addressing the showcasing of the Sindh Research Support Program Project on “Psychological Intervention to Reduce Suicide Rates in Remote Area of Pakistan, Tharparkar Desert”.

The project showcasing event was organized by the KU Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization and conducted by the Sindh Mental Health Authority and the University of Karachi.

Professor Dr Khalid Iraqi mentioned that science and technology have revolutionized every field of life, especially healthcare. Our tragedy is that we still consider discussing certain diseases a taboo. He shared that we need to change this mindset, recognize the disease for what it is, and promote awareness about it.

He informed the audience that the Department of Genetics at the University of Karachi, Sindh Mental Health Authority, and Jinnah Sindh Medical University are jointly working to understand the genetic and other factors behind suicides.

He added that mental health is as essential as physical health for human well-being. Socioeconomic constraints are often cited as reasons for suicide and drug use in our society, but it is crucial to explore other causes as well.

Professor Dr Khalid Iraqi noted that without eliminating the culture of Kalashnikovs, drugs, and social intolerance, societal stability and progress are not possible. “Unfortunately, our public is still not ready to take mental health issues seriously. Avoiding polio vaccinations for children, labelling them as Western propaganda, is a prime example of a lack of awareness and understanding.”

The Chairman of the Sindh Mental Health Authority Senator Dr Karim Ahmed Khawaja mentioned that the highest number of suicides occurs in Tharparkar, Chitral, and Gilgit-Baltistan. He shared that in Tharparkar, both Muslims and Hindus are committing suicides, with a higher incidence among the Scheduled Castes Hindus. Addressing the students, he urged young people and researchers to play their role in understanding these causes to ensure preventive measures.

Senator Khawaja said that the SMHA surveyed from September to November 2024 across various districts of Tharparkar. According to him, the primary goal of the study was to assess the mental health knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the people in Tharparkar, a region experiencing significant mental health challenges, particularly related to poverty, social issues, and increasing suicide rates. The research was designed as a descriptive cross-sectional study, surveying over 5,000 residents across the various Talukas of Tharparkar. A random sampling technique was employed.

He mentioned that the results of the study revealed that 52.55 percent of respondents had an awareness of mental health issues, but the overall level of knowledge was generally low, with 53 percent of participants possessing poor knowledge of mental health. Interestingly, while 59.93 percent believed in medical treatments for mental health conditions, a large portion of the population (35.57 percent) attributed mental illness to past sins, and 28.32 percent linked it to supernatural causes.

Senator Khawaja added that this indicates the persistence of cultural and religious misconceptions surrounding mental health. Regarding the recognition of symptoms, respondents identified a variety of behaviors, with the most common being a mixture of symptoms (31.07 percent), followed by wandering (13.98 percent) and aggression (11.99 percent).

He observed that a lack of awareness about available services and the stigma surrounding mental health (both societal and familial) were also significant obstacles. Additionally, many respondents (69.8 percent) believed that mental illnesses are contagious, highlighting the need for continued education to dispel such misconceptions and reduce stigma.

Senator Dr Karim Khawaja observed that this belief, along with the high levels of fear regarding interactions with mental health patients (88.23 percent), underscores the importance of fostering a more supportive community environment for those affected by mental health issues. He said that the study highlights the need for targeted mental health campaigns, culturally sensitive programs, expanded services, stronger community support, and reduced care barriers to improve mental well-being in Tharparkar.

On this occasion, the Principal Investigator and the faculty member of KU Department of Psychology Dr Saima Masoom Ali presented her project report and mentioned they have visited various locations to study the suicide issue in detail.

She said that locals were briefed about the purpose of the research and people were asked to fill in the questionnaire in which they were asked to mention reasons which they feel are responsible for suicide.

She added that during visits participants took part in art activities and a SWOT analysis was also conducted. One of the identified causes of suicide was borrowing money on interest and then being unable to repay it was identified by the local population.

Dr Saima Ali shared that the dangers of substance abuse were also discussed with the participants who encouraged utilizing positive coping strategies in times of hardship. She concluded that a series of research and awareness sessions were conducted across Tharparkar and Umerkot to understand the causes behind suicide and to empower communities with coping mechanisms, education, and social support strategies.

The sessions involved interactive discussions, activities, and multimedia presentations, addressing various themes such as mental health, social bonds, and small-scale entrepreneurship. “This initiative brought together diverse stakeholders to address pressing mental health and social issues in Tharparkar and Umerkot, fostering awareness, resilience, and community development.”

She emphasized that promoting awareness among the people of Tharparkar through workshops and seminars is essential to reducing suicide rates.

The KU Dean of Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Professor Dr Shaista Tabassum noted that much of our research is limited to statistics and lacks actionable recommendations. “To ensure positive outcomes for society, research must include recommendations, as identifying problems is only the first step; finding solutions is equally important.”

Earlier, KU Director Dr Syeda Hoor Ul Ain during her welcome address expressed hope that the collaborative research efforts of KU and SMHA will play a crucial role in understanding and preventing the high suicide rates.