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'HR violation detrimental to mental health'

KARACHI: Violation of human rights has been identified as one of the most pertinent etiological factors detrimental to mental health of the Pakistanis.

Dr. Amin Gadit, Associate Professor Psychiatry, Hamdard University in his recent study has attributed human rights violation as a major cause of fast upsurge in mental illnesses in the country.

The psychiatrist in the larger perspective of the world and with specific reference to Pakistan maintained that worldly gain, selfishness and ambition of getting on in the world flavoured with personal glory has sabotaged not only the human rights but the human psyche.

Dr. Amin Gadit mentioned that people who are in a position or have enormous wealth can get every desirable thing which causes mental agony to the underprivileged, reflecting in upsurge of mental illness like severe depression and anxiety among people with low socio-economic groups.

"Distinctions are being made on the basis of race, colour, sex, language, religion, property and political beliefs," Dr. Gadit said referring to the fact most of the governments' human rights record remained quite poor.

Regarding the rampant trend among law enforcing personnel to resort to extra judicial killings and tortures, he mentioned that psychological tendency in some human beings who are liable to become extremely violent and aggressive has been witnessed in police custodies and in prisons.

He also referred to the instances where victims as well as their family members had been suffering from mental illness as a result of such predicament.

Accordingly he said the right to marry of choice is a fundamental one but is inadequately extended to locals specifically women. He referred to reports published in print media regarding couples entering into matrimony, out of their choice, being harmed and attempts on their lives being made.

In his very study the psychiatrist also attributed non availability of adequate civic facilities in the country as violation of human rights.

Lack of proper health care facilities, rising cost of living, deteriorating educational standards complemented by constant rise in relevant expenditure, frequent disruptions in power and water supply, inadequate transport facilities, depleted roads are a source of constant tension among locals, he elaborated.

Referring to country report on Human Rights practices Ñ 1998, the psychiatrist said surge in incident rate of kidnapping, killing, looting, car snatching, arbitrary arrest, detention or exile, denial of fair public trials, bonded labour, child abuse, domestic violence have resulted in much higher mental health morbidity in Pakistan.

"This is also reflected in very high number of cases of depression and active suicidal ideas," he said mentioning that more and more people could be witnessed resorting to suicide in the same as well as the following year (1999).

Prof. Gadit also mentioned post traumatic stress disorder increasing at a rate of three percent was an outcome of violence and terrorists attacks, psychosis with gross change in personality, disinhibition, irrelevant talk and aggression is being manifested among patients attended at local clinics.

"Because of severe emotional upsets many people are also resorting to substance abuse," he said.

A seminar is being organised here on January 23 to discuss the intensity of the issue in Pakistan and its possible repercussions on the very fabric of the society.

Senior educationist, Prof. Manzoor Ahmed and known psychiatrist, Prof. IAK Tareen, King Edward Medical College, Lahore will be among the speakers.

Chief of Consular Services, American Consulate, Karachi, Dr. Michael Mates will be the chief guest on the occasion. APP