The 113th radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) discussed the importance of mental health to battle the crises like COVID pandemic and for overall state of cohesion in the society.
The first guest on show, Ms. Sadia Shafique, a psychiatrist by profession, explained that according to the World Health Organization definition, health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Access to health services is one of the fundamental human rights without any distinction of race, religion, socio-economic or political background. Mental health is as important as physical health, but unfortunately, it remains widely under-reported due to the social stigma attached to mental health disorders, where limited number of psychiatry services further multiply the problem.
Every crisis has a profound effect on the mental health of people and COVID-19 is no different where it has inflicted a mass scale trauma. One of the drivers of trauma during this pandemic is rampant misinformation and fallacies regarding COVID-19 which are stocking public fears. Paying attention to these mental health issues is critical to peace and coexistence and requires cooperation of both individuals and state. The marginalized groups in the society are more vulnerable during a crisis, therefore, the mental health services should be considerate their special needs. Only a mentally healthy society can accept and make the full use of the colors of diversity, see it as an opportunity and coexist peacefully.
The second guest on show, Ms. Maria Akhtar, a journalist by profession, noted that the right to health and other related provisions are explicitly enshrined in the Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Therefore, Pakistan, as a matter of its national and international commitment, should prioritize the health services through constitutional provisions.
While sharing her personal experience of battling with the coronavirus, she noted that social isolation should not mean social exclusion. There is huge an onus of the family and friends of COVID positive individuals to provide moral support to them, ensure their social inclusion – while ensuring distancing and quarantine protocols – and do not let them experience stigma as these simple measures are critical to the much-needed mental health during pandemic, also the patients heal faster with everyone’s support.
The third guest on phone, Mr. Ibrar Khan, a faculty member of the Department of Social Work, University of Peshawar, noted that fostering social cohesion during the COVID-19 times becomes ever more important, and it can be done by cultivating social connections through online conduits and addressing the crises through shared goals and collective efforts.
About Ulasi Taroon
Ulasi Taroon is a counter radicalization initiative of Center for Research and Security Studies that aims to address the radicalization challenges, extremist ideologies and foster social cohesion through a discourse anchored in the core constitutional values which are fundamentally essential prerequisites for social peace and harmony. The endeavor aims to cultivate and sensitize the people of KP in the core values in the Pakistani constitution and our social contract. It’s an attempt to highlight the criticality of abiding by these ideals – such as adherence to rule of law, primacy and sanctity of constitution, equal citizenry, responsible citizenship, respect for fundamental human rights, tolerance for diversity and different opinions, inclusive democracy and good governance – as a measure of strengthening social cohesion and promoting peaceful co-existence.