Community Field Work Blog on Mental Health
The socio-cultural and religious context of Pakistan plays a crucial role in shaping attitudes towards mental health. In many communities, mental illness is stigmatized, and those affected are often ostracized or shunned. Patriarchal society and strong family ties can also make it difficult for individuals to seek help or disclose their struggles. Additionally, the influence of Islamic values and traditions can sometimes lead to a reliance on spiritual or faith-based solutions, rather than seeking professional help.
In this context, engaging with communities is essential for conducting effective mental health research. By building trust and rapport with local residents, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of the complex issues surrounding mental health. This approach also helps to identify and address the specific needs and concerns of the community, rather than imposing external solutions. Community engagement is critical in developing culturally sensitive and effective interventions that are tailored to the community’s needs.
The Pakistan Institute of Living and Learning (PILL) has been working to address mental health issues in communities across the country. PILL is a leading research organization dedicated to improving mental health outcomes in Pakistan.One of our case studies involve the Burns project, a community-based initiative aimed at promoting mental health awareness and support among community members, who have experienced burns or other physical conditions. As burns cause trauma, disfigurement, and agony, they can result in serious mental health problems like anxiety, sadness, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Our project sought to address these mental health issues by providing support and resources to individuals affected by burn injuries.
We found that many community members were hesitant to discuss mental health issues due to fear of stigma and social repercussions. To address this, we worked with local influencers and community leaders to develop culturally sensitive and accessible materials for mental health awareness. We also established partnerships with local healthcare providers to offer training and support for mental health services.
Our approach to engaging and empowering communities involved several key strategies. First, we worked to build trust and rapport with community members through regular meetings and interactions. We also established a community advisory board, comprised of local leaders and residents, to provide guidance and feedback on our project. Additionally, we provided training and capacity-building opportunities for community members, healthcare providers, and local organizations to enhance their skills and knowledge in mental health.
The benefits of this approach was multifold. Specifically, we saw an increase in community members seeking help for mental health issues, as well as improved attitudes towards mental illness. For example, our project led to a significant increase in the number of community members accessing mental health services, and we received positive feedback from community members who appreciated the support and resources provided. Furthermore, our community-based approach helped to build a sense of ownership and sustainability, as community members became invested in the project and its outcomes.
However, we also encountered several challenges. One of the main difficulties was building trust with community members, who were often skeptical of outsiders. We also faced challenges in terms of resources and infrastructure, as many communities lacked access to basic healthcare services. Moreover, we encountered resistance from some community leaders who were hesitant to discuss mental health issues due to concerns about stigma and social consequenses.
In terms of ethical considerations, we took several steps to ensure that our research was conducted in an ethical and responsible manner. We obtained informed consent from all participants, ensured confidentiality and anonymity, and provided support and referrals for those who required mental health services. We also worked to ensure that our research was culturally sensitive and respectful of local customs and traditions.
As someone passionate about mental health, I have always been interested in exploring the complexities of mental health issues in Pakistan.Mental health issues are a significant concern in Pakistan, where an estimated 10-15% of the population suffers from some form of mental illness. In Pakistan, mental health is a critical issue that requires attention and action. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Pakistan has one of the highest rates of depression and anxiety disorders in the world. Moreover, the country’s mental health landscape is further complicated by a lack of resources, infrastructure, and trained professionals to address these issues.
The socio-cultural and religious context of Pakistan plays a crucial role in shaping attitudes towards mental health. In many communities, mental illness is stigmatized, and those affected are often ostracized or shunned. Patriarchal society and strong family ties can also make it difficult for individuals to seek help or disclose their struggles. Additionally, the influence of Islamic values and traditions can sometimes lead to a reliance on spiritual or faith-based solutions, rather than seeking professional help.
In this context, engaging with communities is essential for conducting effective mental health research. By building trust and rapport with local residents, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of the complex issues surrounding mental health. This approach also helps to identify and address the specific needs and concerns of the community, rather than imposing external solutions. Community engagement is critical in developing culturally sensitive and effective interventions that are tailored to the community’s needs.
The Pakistan Institute of Living and Learning (PILL) has been working to address mental health issues in communities across the country. PILL is a leading research organization dedicated to improving mental health outcomes in Pakistan.One of our case studies involve the Burns project, a community-based initiative aimed at promoting mental health awareness and support among community members, who have experienced burns or other physical conditions. As burns cause trauma, disfigurement, and agony, they can result in serious mental health problems like anxiety, sadness, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Our project sought to address these mental health issues by providing support and resources to individuals affected by burn injuries.
We found that many community members were hesitant to discuss mental health issues due to fear of stigma and social repercussions. To address this, we worked with local influencers and community leaders to develop culturally sensitive and accessible materials for mental health awareness. We also established partnerships with local healthcare providers to offer training and support for mental health services.
Our approach to engaging and empowering communities involved several key strategies. First, we worked to build trust and rapport with community members through regular meetings and interactions. We also established a community advisory board, comprised of local leaders and residents, to provide guidance and feedback on our project. Additionally, we provided training and capacity-building opportunities for community members, healthcare providers, and local organizations to enhance their skills and knowledge in mental health.
The benefits of this approach was multifold. Specifically, we saw an increase in community members seeking help for mental health issues, as well as improved attitudes towards mental illness. For example, our project led to a significant increase in the number of community members accessing mental health services, and we received positive feedback from community members who appreciated the support and resources provided. Furthermore, our community-based approach helped to build a sense of ownership and sustainability, as community members became invested in the project and its outcomes.
However, we also encountered several challenges. One of the main difficulties was building trust with community members, who were often skeptical of outsiders. We also faced challenges in terms of resources and infrastructure, as many communities lacked access to basic healthcare services. Moreover, we encountered resistance from some community leaders who were hesitant to discuss mental health issues due to concerns about stigma and social consequenses.
In terms of ethical considerations, we took several steps to ensure that our research was conducted in an ethical and responsible manner. We obtained informed consent from all participants, ensured confidentiality and anonymity, and provided support and referrals for those who required mental health services. We also worked to ensure that our research was culturally sensitive and respectful of local customs and traditions.
Conclusion
Our experience highlights the importance of engaging with communities when conducting mental health research. By taking a culturally sensitive and participatory approach, researchers can build trust, identify specific needs and concerns, and develop effective solutions that are tailored to the community’s needs. This approach requires commitment to community engagement, capacity-building, and sustainability, which can lead to meaningful and lasting impacts on mental health outcomes.
For more information about PILL and our work on mental health, please visit our website at. www.pill.org.pk
References
– World Health Organization. (2017). Depression and Other Common Mental Disorders: Global Health Estimates.
Written By
Muhammad Shafqat Jahan
Division: Personality Disorder
Themes:Arts and Humanities
E:[email protected]
Pakistan Institute of Living & Learning