Mental Health Care in Pakistan: Navigating Cultural Stigma, Islamic Perspectives, and Systemic Challenges

Abstract

Mental health care in Pakistan faces significant challenges, deeply influenced by cultural stigma, religious beliefs, and an underdeveloped healthcare system. Despite the introduction of the Mental Health Ordinance in 2001, which replaced the outdated Lunacy Act of 1912, the availability and accessibility of mental health services remain insufficient. Cultural factors, including widespread belief in supernatural causes of mental illness, lead many individuals to seek help from faith healers or religious leaders before considering professional mental health care. Additionally, the deep-rooted stigma surrounding mental health issues prevents many people from seeking appropriate care, further compounding the problem. In Islamic tradition, mental health is often viewed through a spiritual lens, where the treatment of psychological distress is seen as both a medical and spiritual journey. While Islamic teachings emphasize the importance of seeking healing, including through prayer, spiritual counseling, and medical care, there is often a lack of integration between religious practices and modern mental health services. This disconnects, along with limited mental health literacy (MHL) among the population and the insufficient training of primary healthcare providers, exacerbates the challenges of mental health care in Pakistan. Addressing these challenges requires culturally and religiously sensitive policies that respect Islamic perspectives on health while promoting mental health education and awareness. Increasing investment in mental health resources and infrastructure is crucial, as is enhancing the training of healthcare professionals to integrate Islamic principles with contemporary mental health practices. This article examines the historical and current context of mental health care in Pakistan, the role of Islamic perspectives in shaping mental health perceptions, and the implications for policy development and future research.

Keywords: Mental health, Pakistan, Stigma, Islam, faith healers, Mental Health Ordinance, policy, healthcare.