Psychiatric care in Lahore is facing a crisis due to stigma, lack of resources, and the dangerous rise of unqualified practitioners. These challenges, coupled with a severe shortage of mental health professionals—there are fewer than 1 psychiatrist per 100,000 people—mean that many individuals never receive proper treatment.
Stigma around mental illness further prevents people from seeking help, pushing them toward non-medical alternatives that worsen their condition. Meanwhile, psychiatric wards are often overcrowded and underfunded, leaving even those who seek help with limited options for effective care. Understanding these obstacles is crucial to addressing the growing mental health crisis in the city.
The stigma around mental health in Lahore creates a major barrier to psychiatric care. Many people in Lahore view mental illness as a personal failing or spiritual issue, preventing them from seeking appropriate treatment. This stigma persists despite educational efforts by institutions like the Pakistan Psychiatric Society (PPS).
Families often avoid psychiatric help due to fear of societal judgement, leading patients to alternative, non-medical treatments like spiritual healers.
The PPS found that a significant percentage of patients were first taken to traditional healers before seeking professional psychiatric care. This delay worsens their condition, making recovery harder.
What are the challenges in accessing psychiatric care in Lahore?
There is a shortage of qualified psychiatrists in Lahore, with only about 1 psychiatrist per 100,000 people. This limited availability, combined with the growing demand for mental health services, results in long wait times and inadequate treatment. Public psychiatric wards are often overcrowded and underfunded, causing many patients to receive substandard care.
For instance, Professor Dr. Ghulam Hassan, a leading psychiatrist in Lahore, has pointed out that some patients wait months for an appointment, which exacerbates their symptoms. Despite initiatives like the Punjab mental health program, the lack of resources hinders the effectiveness of treatment.
How has COVID-19 impacted psychiatric care in Lahore?
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a surge in mental health issues in Lahore, including anxiety and depression. The Pakistan Psychiatric Society reported a 30% increase in cases during the pandemic, as social isolation, job loss, and health concerns took a toll on mental well-being. Unfortunately, this rise in mental health problems was not matched by an increase in mental health resources.
While some psychiatrists like Dr. Waqar Azeem provided online consultations during the lockdown, many patients lacked access to digital platforms. The city’s psychiatric system struggled to adapt to the increased demand, revealing systemic weaknesses.
Why are quacks a significant problem in Lahore’s mental health sector?
Many people in Lahore seek help from unlicensed practitioners, or “quacks,” who often misdiagnose and mistreat psychiatric conditions. These quacks use non-medical methods rooted in superstition and often offer spiritual cures. The Pakistan Psychiatric Society estimates that up to 40% of mental health patients in Lahore initially visit such practitioners.
For instance, families sometimes spend large sums of money on spiritual treatments, only to return to psychiatrists after their condition worsens. These delays in proper treatment can lead to severe consequences, including chronic mental health deterioration.
What initiatives are improving psychiatric care in Lahore?
Several initiatives aim to improve psychiatric care in Lahore, such as the Pakistan Psychiatric Society’s efforts to promote mental health education and reduce stigma. The PPS has created a set of national guidelines to standardize psychiatric care across Pakistan.
There are also ongoing efforts to train healthcare professionals in evidence-based psychiatric treatments. For example, Dr. Ali Ahsan Mufti, a prominent psychiatrist in Lahore, is involved in multiple awareness campaigns to educate the public about mental health. The major step is to teach kids about mental health. These initiatives, though promising, still face challenges due to funding constraints and widespread societal stigma.
What Scientific Data Shows?
The psychiatric system in Lahore faces several challenges, including a deep-rooted stigma, limited access to qualified psychiatrists, and the dangerous presence of quacks. Although some efforts are being made to improve the situation, such as the initiatives led by the Pakistan Psychiatric Society, much more is needed to address the growing mental health crisis.