Psychiatrists and experts at a workshop have said that the quest for material gains, yawning social disparities and a prolonged status quo-like situation is creating unwanted stress in every individual's life that could be overcome with a healthy lifestyle.
This was the theme discussed at the workshop entitled 'Mental Stress diminishes the working capacity of individuals at workplaces.' organised by Sindh University's Quality Enhancement Cell (QEC) and Planning & Development (P&D), the training workshop has been sponsored by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) here on Wednesday.
Most of the speakers talked about socio-economic challenges and how the officers at their workplaces could cope with them and pursue a given set of targets. The speakers called for adopting a healthy lifestyle and explained how it could help in pursuing objectives of the organisations, institutes and industries.
On the occasion, psychiatrist Meroona Gopang told the gathering, which included both the officers of Sindh University and the principals & directors of SU affiliated colleges that the officers must avoid social pressures so as to become active in their organisations which could help improve their personal life and provide a better chance to contribute for the betterment of society.
She clarified that under certain daily situations, development of stress was natural, and it should not be taken too seriously and should be tackled in a tactful manner. Most people do not notice mental illness, which ends up affecting both their personal and professional lives.
Those that do realise something's amiss, hesitate in seeking help, given the stigma that is associated with mental illnesses in Pakistan, according to psychiatrist Meroona Gopang. She added that incidents of domestic violence, honour killing and physical abuse contributed to mental illnesses. "The victims feel helpless and hopeless, which increases frustration and anxiety in them, leading to mental illness," she said.
Factors such as the deteriorating law and order situation, sky rocketing inflation, unemployment, prolonged power/gas load shedding among others do not help the matters either. Women and children in particular are being deeply affected by it, Dr Meroona said. Professor Dr Imamuddin Khosa said that time-management had become a yardstick that was difficult to maintain as professionals and other stake holders were finding it hard to complete a particular assignment within a certain period of time.
Professor Rafique Ahmed on the occasion highlighted the stress associated with different challenges and guided how to cope with mental stresses. After 40 years of age, challenges at professional and domestic levels created a certain amount of stress, but one should not worry, he said. Between 46-66 per cent of women and 15-25 per cent of men suffer from some form of anxiety or depression in the country. In rural areas, over 60 per cent women are affected compared to 25-30 per cent women in urban areas, he maintained. Use of drugs in unfavourable situations was also debated in the workshop. Among others Dr Azhar Ali Shah, Manzoor Ali Panhwar, Nanak Ram Bhatiya, Ghulam Hyder Lashari, Rashid Ali Silawat, Ali Akbar Jalbani and Ali Gohar Noohani also participated.