Though significant steps have been taken to break the stigma attached to mental health in recent years, the gravity of the issue is still not understood by a large proportion of our population. Unfortunately, opening up about mental health is sometimes seen as a call for undeserved sympathy.

On October 10, which is the World Mental Health Day, Lahoris took to the streets in Phase 8, DHA, as a gesture to spark dialogue surrounding the problem. The purpose of the event was not only to raise awareness and initiate meaningful conversation but also to encourage the wellbeing of one’s entire self — that is, body, mind and soul.

The presence of government officials, licensed therapists, students and the elderly made the walk inclusive. The support shown for the cause was indeed commendable and, as I saw it, rather unexpected.

In my opinion, the first step forward for any cause is always education aided by awareness. Organisers of the event resorted to social media to run an awareness campaign about the event, thus attracting a substantial number of participants.

The theme for the walk this year was Nature, with special focus on the fact that nature is an effective way of improving our wellbeing — maybe that’s why many of us dusted off our old bicycles during the pandemic lockdown for a 10-kilometre bike ride and sought out Mother Nature to keep us sane.

Mental health is an issue that is often brushed under the carpet, and anyone suffering from a mental disorder/ ailment is more likely to be taken to an exorcist than a licensed psychiatrist. Hence, it calls for the need to eliminate the taboos associated with mental illnesses, especially vis-à-vis lunacy.

Mental health is an issue that is often brushed under the carpet, and anyone suffering from a mental disorder/ ailment is more likely to be taken to an exorcist than a licensed psychiatrist.

On the bright side, pictures of government officials like Dr Faisal Sultan, who attended the walk, circulated on digital media. This was a relief considering the desideratum for legal frameworks revolving around mental health.

One of the participants, Ghous Muhammad, said that the purpose of the walk was to send across an extremely important message — that is, to stand up and become advocates for mental health, to have conversations, and to show support to those suffering from mental disorders to reset the majority’s mindset and to take steps towards change — quite literally.

Mental illness is a dogma not illustrated much in the world of the common man. The uninitiated are likely to attribute such illnesses to supernatural causes. The purpose of the walk was to bring up such topics. A few participants did express their concerns regarding the duration of the walk. The walk lasted mere 30 minutes. The supporters of the cause had apparently expected greater attendance. Some of the participants were there just for a lark and not to support the cause. For many, this distorted the message the walk stood for, and made it seem as if the cyber rally was more of an event for entertainment purposes.

That said, such events amongst support groups, therapy workshops, mental health seminars and campaigns etc are the need of the hour. They serve to remind us that support is available. I strongly believe that such awareness campaigns should be extended to rural areas as well because such issues are far less understood in rural areas than they are among urban citizens.

The writer is in her last year of high-school. She aspires to be a politician