Break Their Own Minds
Break Their Own Minds: People in Pakistan are talking a lot about a mental health crisis. Many groups are running campaigns to raise awareness and reduce stigma. They encourage people to talk about their problems and get help. Experts also ask for more money, better services, and mental health support in primary care. These efforts are important. But we must also ask: what is causing this crisis, and how can we stop it?
Roots of Despair
The mental health crisis is not only a health problem. It shows how power, inequality, and bad governance hurt people’s emotions and lives. This crisis is not natural. People created it through decades of injustice, corruption, and poverty.
Pakistan has a long history of political chaos. The military ruled the country for almost half its life. Even civilian governments often act under military influence. In the last few years, corruption, violence, and weak institutions have destroyed public trust. People feel anxious and afraid. They live in uncertainty and doubt their leaders.
Economic Strain
Economic hardship also causes mental pain. Prices keep rising. Jobs are disappearing. Many families cannot pay for school or electricity. Life has become a daily struggle. Poverty does not only take away money — it also takes away dignity and peace of mind.
Most Pakistanis are young — over 60% are under 30. This should be a strength, but it has turned into a problem. There are few jobs and poor education. Connections matter more than merit. Hard work often goes unrewarded. Young people lose hope and want to leave the country. A nation that fails its youth also kills their dreams.
This suffering is not a “test from God.” It is political. The state has failed to give people justice, education, and basic needs. It has failed to control corruption and reduce poverty. These failures cause emotional damage. The people pay the price.
Silent Tragedy
Suicide is one of Pakistan’s silent tragedies. The World Health Organisation says between 13,000 and 20,000 people die by suicide every year. Most are under 30. Many more try to end their lives. Poverty and unemployment are major causes. Pakistan was founded in the name of Islam, a faith that values justice. Yet, people lose hope because justice is missing.
Leaders stay silent. This silence is not accidental. Facing the mental health crisis means facing the truth — poverty, inequality, and corruption are destroying lives. Instead of change, people are told to “pray” or “be patient.” But this is not resilience. It is helpless endurance. Calling it resilience is unfair when people have no other choice.
Systemic Reform
We cannot fix this crisis with only hospitals or helplines. We must fix the system. Pakistan needs honest leaders and fair elections. We must fight corruption and invest in education. The country spends billions on war but cannot provide health or education for all. Over 25 million children are still out of school. This is unacceptable.
One in three Pakistanis needs mental health care. Yet, there is no proper budget for it. Less than 0.5% of the health budget goes to mental health. Corruption wastes most of it. Services exist only in big cities, and poor people cannot afford them.
Climate and Trauma
Climate change has made things worse. The 2022 floods displaced over 30 million people. Many still suffer from trauma, anxiety, and depression. But mental health care is missing from disaster plans.
A nation’s strength is not its army or wealth. It lies in the peace of its people. Pakistan must make mental well-being a national goal. Until then, our mental health crisis will continue — a crisis we created ourselves.
Published in Dawn, 1st November 2025
