Tag: mental health

  • Asian U21 silver medalist snooker player Mohammad Majid Ali commits suicide

    Asian U21 silver medalist snooker player Mohammad Majid Ali commits suicide

    Renowned snooker player Mohammad Majid Ali, a silver medalist in the Asian U21 championship, sadly took his own life on Thursday, the first day of Eid-ul-Azha. Family sources have confirmed that Majid had been battling with depression for several years.

    Alamgir Sheikh, Chairman of the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA), conveyed the distressing news to fellow players and members of the sports organization via a text message. This unfortunate event marks the second loss within a month for the Pakistani snooker community, as they had recently mourned the passing of Mohammad Bilal.

    The circumstances surrounding Majid’s death are both shocking and distressing. Majid’s brother, Umar, has confirmed that it was indeed a case of suicide. Majid tragically ended his life making use of a wood-cutting machine in his hometown of Samundri, near Faisalabad.

    Umar further confirmed that Majid had been enduring depression for the past few years, although the specific reasons remain unknown. Financial difficulties were ruled out as a contributing factor.

    Expressing his deep shock, the PBSA Chairman, in an interview with Geo, highlighted Majid’s exceptional talent, acknowledging that although his ranking had recently declined, he had always exhibited immense potential. He expressed profound sorrow at the loss of such a promising talent within the Pakistani snooker community.

    “We are profoundly saddened by the news of his passing. This is an immense loss for the Pakistani snooker community,” he concluded.

  • ‘Social media poses risk to mental health of teenagers’: expert

    US Surgeon General Dr Vivek Murthy issued an advisory on Tuesday, warning about the consequences social media usage has for women and children. He said that it is imperative now more than ever that tech companies, policymakers and parents take immediate action to ensure that children are protected.

    “For every family, it may not be feasible to stop your child from using social media or there may be benefits,” he told the Associated Press, “But drawing boundaries around the use of social media in your child’s life so there are times and spaces that are protected, that are tech-free, that can be really helpful.”

    According to The Guardian, Murthy revealed that it was terrifying that not enough research has been done to understand the harm social media has over children:

    “The bottom line is we do not have enough evidence to conclude that social media is, in fact, sufficiently safe for our kids. And that’s really important for parents to know.”

    The advisory is a part of Dr Murthy’s ongoing investigation in to the mental health crisis of American youth. The report pointed out that more than 95% of American teenagers between the ages of 13 to 17 years old are active on social media platforms, while a third said they use these apps constantly. The report also pointed out that there has been a noticeable rise of children and adults dealing with anxiety and depression due to social media usage.

    This report has arrived in the wake of Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen revealing in 2021 that according to research conducted by Facebook, 13.5% of teen girls say Instagram makes thoughts of suicide worse, and 17% of teen girls say Instagram makes eating disorders worse.

    “And what’s super tragic is Facebook’s own research says as these young women begin to consume this eating disorder content, they get more and more depressed. It actually makes them use the app more,” Haugen revealed. “They end up in this feedback cycle where they hate their bodies more and more.”

  • Here are the key features of Pakistan’s first mental health app ‘Humraaz’

    Here are the key features of Pakistan’s first mental health app ‘Humraaz’

    Prime Minister’s strategic reforms initiative for the mental wellbeing of citizens, has launched a mobile/web based application named ‘Humraaz’ along with an integrated helpline -1166- in collaboration with Ministry of Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, World Health Organisation (WHO), National Information Technology Board (NITB) and Federal Directorate of Immunization.

    The application is available in both Google and Apple stores and the toll free helpline is also active.

    More than 140 psychologists/psychiatrists have registered in the initiative, out of which almost 60 plus are Psychiatric Resident Doctors and Counsellors. Appointments are booked based on availability/preferred time slots of the psychologists/psychiatrists.

    More than 30 government psychologists/psychiatrists are onboard for providing free consultation services to citizens having mental health concerns and thoughts of self-harming.

    Registration of Doctors (Psychologists/ Psychiatrists) will remain open – the profiles are reviewed and approved by the Panel of Experts of Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination.

    Here are the key features of the application:
    • Guided and principle based counselling and psychotherapy sessions
    • Daily activities monitoring
    • 24/7 connection with professionals
    • International standard knowledge base
    • ChatBot (including self-assessment)
    • WhatsApp support appointment booking
    • Support groups of people for sharing of experiences.

    Salman Sufi, the Head of Prime Minister’s Strategic Reforms Unit, while talking exclusively to The Current said, “The government of Pakistan has recognized that trust in mental health professionals is a major barrier to seeking help, and has taken steps to address this issue. One such initiative is the government’s new mental health application for citizen’s wellbeing called “Humraaz.”

    Explaining that the application provides users with access to mental health professionals and resources, Sufi stressed that it aims to increase awareness about mental health issues and reduce stigma.

    He continued by saying that the government is working to ensure that mental health professionals are adequately trained and qualified to provide high-quality care, through setting rigorous standards for education, licensure, and accreditation, and providing ongoing training and professional development opportunities.

    “These efforts will help to increase trust in mental health professionals and encourage more people to seek the help they need.”

    While answering a question about the protection of user data Sufi said, “Ensuring the privacy and security of users’ data is a top priority for the government of Pakistan’s Humraaz mental health application. To achieve this, the government has implemented strict data protection policies and procedures, including using secure servers, encrypting data, and limiting access to user information to authorized personnel only.”

    In addition, the government has also appointed a dedicated team to monitor the application’s security and respond to any potential threats or breaches, Sufi elaborated. “These measures will help to safeguard the sensitive data of users and protect their privacy and wellbeing,” he said.

  • Prisoners in Pakistan exposed to diseases in overcrowded jails: HRW

    Prisoners in Pakistan exposed to diseases in overcrowded jails: HRW

    According to a report released by Human Rights Watch, Pakistani authorities have systematically deprived prisoners of adequate health care, leaving thousands at risk of disease and death.

    The report, titled “A Nightmare for Everyone: The Health Care Crisis in Pakistan’s Prisons,” highlights the widespread deficiencies in prison health care in Pakistan and the impact on a total prison population of over 88,000 people. Outdated and discriminatory bail laws have contributed to severe overcrowding, with most prisoners still awaiting trial or conviction.

    Pakistan’s prison system is one of the world’s most overcrowded, with cells designed for a maximum of three people holding up to 15. This overcrowding has compounded existing healthcare deficiencies, leaving inmates vulnerable to communicable diseases and unable to obtain even basic health care, let alone emergency medical treatment.

    Human Rights Watch interviewed 54 people, including former inmates, lawyers, prison health officials, and advocacy organizations working on prisoner rights, and found that the principal cause of overcrowding is the dysfunctional criminal justice system itself. Most inmates are under trial and have yet to be convicted, and the majority facing criminal trials are poor and lack access to legal aid.

    The crisis in prison health care reflects deeper failures in access to health care across Pakistan, exacerbated most recently by an economic crisis. Corruption among prison officials and impunity for abusive conduct contribute to serious human rights abuses.

    The report calls for urgent, systemic reform of Pakistan’s prison system, including changing bail laws, expediting the trial process, and prioritizing noncustodial sentences to reduce overcrowding. Pakistani governments at the federal and provincial levels should urgently adopt measures to bring health care in its jails and prisons in line with international standards, such as the Nelson Mandela Rules.

  • Suicide is not a crime in Pakistan anymore

    Suicide is not a crime in Pakistan anymore

    The Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill 2022, which eliminates penalty for attempted suicide, was passed by President Dr. Arif Alvi on Friday.

    According to a statement made by the President House, Section 325 of the Pakistan Penal Code, 1860, which deals with punishing suicide attempts, will be repealed.

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)-introduced the legislation (JUI) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam opposed the bill.

    Suicide or attempted suicide was a crime in Pakistan under Section 325 of the Penal Code, and it was sanctioned by a year in prison, a fine, or both.

    According to public health experts, approximately 75 per cent of Pakistanis suffer from various mental health problems. The majority of Pakistanis, according to Vice Chancellor of the Health Services Academy (HSA) Prof. Shahzad Ali Khan, are either sad or under stress.

  • 75% of Pakistanis suffer from depression: Public health experts

    75% of Pakistanis suffer from depression: Public health experts

    According to public health experts, approximately 75 per cent of Pakistanis suffer from various mental health problems. The majority of Pakistanis, according to Vice Chancellor of the Health Services Academy (HSA) Prof. Shahzad Ali Khan, are either sad or under stress.
    Public health experts and intellectuals have portrayed a bleak picture of Pakistanis’ mental state.

    Prof Shahzad Ali Khan, while addressing the launch of the 24th Thematic Calendar by Jahan-i-Maseeha Adbi Forum (JMAF), said that the majority of the population is suffering from different mental health disorders including depression and anxiety.
    He continued by adding that the majority of young people in Pakistan, view everyone as corrupt and incompetent, despite the fact that similar problems, such as inflation, unemployment, and recession, affect young people everywhere.

    “Initially, teachers and academia of our society were targeted and they were defamed. Later, character assassination of physicians and healthcare professionals was carried out and the same treatment was meted out to politicians,” he added.

  • World Mental Health Day: Phrases we should avoid using

    World Mental Health Day: Phrases we should avoid using

    World Mental Health Day is observed on October 10 every year. The theme for World Mental Health Day 2022 is, “Make mental health and well-being for all a global priority”.

    In 1992, the World Federation for Mental Health began observing the day. Raising awareness of mental health concerns and mobilising support for mental health are the goals of World Mental Health Day.

    Here is a list of five things you should not say casually about mental health:

    “Pagal ho?” (Are you crazy)

    Calling someone Pagal or crazy is not right. They might be going through a tough period that we do not know is affecting them and to what extent. Calling them crazy can further aggravate their mental health.

    “Mujhe OCD ho rahi hai” (This is triggering my OCD)

    Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is real, and the condition can hinder the life of the patient. Casually self-diagnosing yourself with OCD and equating personal obsession of cleanliness with OCD is not funny. If anything, it’s nothing less than insulting and dismissive to those who are actually plagued by the real-life symptoms of the disorder.

    “It’s all in your head”.

    Contrary to popular belief, depression is not the same as sadness. It is, in fact, a very serious mental illness. Telling someone that their mental health is not a genuine disease and it’s all in their head reinforces the misconception — that a person with a mental illness is somehow being dramatic and would feel better if only they could stop thinking about it.

    “I have gone through the same thing“

    If someone is going through something, saying that you have gone through the same thing is not helpful. Even if our intention is to help them, this phrase can be perceived wrongly and it can make them feel that they are not being heard.

  • Boy kills mother for not allowing PUBG, hides body, calls friends over for party

    Boy kills mother for not allowing PUBG, hides body, calls friends over for party

    A 16-year-old boy in India allegedly shot dead his mother with his father’s pistol because she stopped him from playing PUBG. After murdering his mother, the boy called his friends over for a party. He kept the body of his mother in another room, turned on the AC and sprayed air-freshener to keep the smell out.

    As per the police, the boy killed his mother when she was asleep with her 10-year-old daughter lying next to her. He then allegedly threatened to kill his sister if she told anybody about the murder. They have both been placed in a juvenile detention centre.

    “The incident took place in Yamunapuram Colony under PGI police station area. The deceased used to live with her two children at the house. Her husband, who is a JCO (Junior Commissioned Officer), is currently posted in West Bengal. The 16-year-old boy was addicted to online game PUBG. He told us that his mother used to stop him from playing the game, this is why he killed her. The minor used the registered firearm of his father to kill the mother,” said Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Qasim Abidi.

    The police said they found the woman’s half decomposed body and submitted it for a post-mortem.

  • Google launches dedicated suicide helpline for Pakistanis

    Google launches dedicated suicide helpline for Pakistanis

    The internet giant, Google has introduced a suicide hotline one box for Pakistan, which allows users to connect immediately with a suicide helpline at the top of the search results page.

    The hotline termed ‘Umang Pakistan’ will now be displayed to anyone in Pakistan seeking suicide-related queries such as “suicide-support” and “how can I commit suicide”.

    The implementation of this special service will aid worried Pakistanis in recovering from whatsoever hardship they are enduring. The hotline will assist stressed individuals and provide solutions to alleviate the anxiety that they are currently encountering.

    Suicide ratio in Pakistan

    Umang is a mental health helpline recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO) that provides support to Pakistanis who are contemplating or planning suicide due to any reason.

    The relationship between Umang and Google, according to Google, intends to help address Pakistan’s growing suicide rate. Keeping in view WHO estimates, Pakistan has between 130,000 and 270,000 attempted suicide cases per year.

    Meanwhile, Google Trends shows that topics like “anxiety,” “depression,” and “suicide” all spiked in the 2020-21 era in the country, according to the internet company.

    This search update is currently available on both desktop and mobile devices, including Android and iOS, and here’s how it appears in the google search:

  • Four men arrested for allegedly raping a monitor lizard

    Four men arrested for allegedly raping a monitor lizard

    Four men have been arrested in India for allegedly raping a  Bengal monitor lizard. According to media reports, the incident took place in Sahydari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra.

    Sandeep Tukram, Pawar Mangesh, Janardhan Kamtekar, and Akshay Sunil are four hunters suspected of breaking into the reserve and committing the crime. The accused were being probed after they were booked on March 31 for illegally entering the forest when the crime came to light, the official said. A video found on one of the accused’s phones shows the men gang-raping the lizard.

    In addition to the video of the men sexually abusing the monitor lizard, officials also found photos of various animals such as porcupines and deer on their phones.

    Only one of the accused was arrested at first, while the others fled. The last three were eventually discovered in Hativ village in Maharashtra’s Ratnagiri district. The men travelled from Konkan to hunt in Kolhapur’s Chandoli hamlet, according to officials.