PTI’s Arif Alvi Calls For 24/7 Help Service To Help Mental Health Challenges Following Anam Tanoli’s Suicide

The suicide of 26 years old model Anam Tanoli has shown that youth, opportunities and money can’t cure a damaged mind. Anam being the recent ‘limelight’ victim of defeated mental health leading to ending her own life, shared her experience with bullying. Though attempting to look strong, it can quite obviously be seen how she was struggling with it.

The sad incident should force us to think on two different aspects: one that how our small words can drive a person to the end and second, the pressing need to address mental health as a serious problem in Pakistan.
As per certain sources, as many as 40,000 people have committed suicide in Pakistan during the year 2017 while we maintain our ignorance over the issue.

Also See: Five Warning Signs That Tell Someone Is Thinking Of Committing Suicide

PTI’s senior leader Arif Alvi, however, has broken the ice on the issue, saying that it does need urgent addressal. Taking to microblogging site Twitter, Alvi said that millions of women are struggling due to compromised mental ascended by socio-economic circumstances. To tackle the rising trend, Alvi asked for a 24/7 psychiatric help which is promptly available to address those who are in need.

Model Anam Tanoli ‘commits suicide’ in Lahore https://t.co/l26rWdwSoE… Millions of people specially women under different socio-economic pressures face depression & some commit suicide. Psychiatric help should be readily available including a 24/7 helpline.

— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) September 2, 2018

His idea resonated with the social media community and they welcomed it, saying it is need of the hour. They said that the change in leadership and ‘educated’ people occupying the significant positions, they are hopeful that unconventional issues like mental health will be debated on and something will be done to address them.

سر ہمارے معاشرے میں سائکیٹرسٹ کے پاس جانا بھی معیوب سمجھا جاتا ہے کیونکہ ایسے مریض کو پاگل قرار دے دیا جاتا ہے ۔ جبکہ ڈپریشن اس دور کی سب سے بڑی بیماری ہے۔
ہمیں یہ سوچ بھی بدلنا ہو گی ۔

— Farzana (@Farzana722) September 2, 2018

It’s extremely important. We don’t care much about the emotional and psychological abuse our women go through. Now that we have an educated leadership we really want that other than physical abuse, we need to be sensitised on emotional and psychological abuse.

— Sarah Ilyas (@_SarahIlyas) September 2, 2018

According to a report 35 % is under depression do something for psycho social support of society.
Honourable Mr president to be.

— Dr. Mati (@DrMatikhan) September 2, 2018

Please take an action against social media trollling. Especially some of these online pages where people comment shitty things and they dont even bother to filter comments.

— Kiran (@KiranRaza01) September 3, 2018

We request our new education minister to introduce a proper system in schools, colleges & uni that educate the youngsters how to come out from a depressed situation etc

— Sakina (@Sakina64988031) September 2, 2018

Clinical psychologist must be appointed in all colleges young college students face big peer and performance pressure who need counselling sessions.
Make it mandatory by legislation

— shahab adil (@ShahabAdil) September 2, 2018

Sad news!! There must be an open talk about these type of problems so the people can easily consult.. anyways, it’s really painful to imagine, what she had gone through 😢

— Hina Naz (@NazHina) September 3, 2018

Recently my sis suffered nerve disorder, I am from Sialkot, there was no doctor available in sialkot for emergency. Then we went to lahore and even there we couldn't find a specialist in Sheikh Zayed and some other hospitals. We stayed there and took appointment for next morning

— Saeed Ali (@SaeedAl47631606) September 2, 2018

All schools public or private must employ a psychologist. The psychology departments of public universities must be upgraded in2 indiginous research centers. Most departments are operating without labs, esp in private sectors. Henceour degrees r not recognized internationally

— Seema Arif (@drarif00) September 3, 2018

stress management should be a subject in schools. Schools teach us about science and literature but fail to teach us about life.

— Arsala 🇵🇰 (@ArsalaHayat) September 2, 2018

Thanks for highlighting an extremely importance issue which needs special investment of time and money from this new government #NAYAPAKISTAN

— OMER RASHID (@omerrashid189) September 2, 2018

Can’t believe this man is our President- making Pakistan great again 🙏🙏🙏

— maria khan (@rozsa786) September 2, 2018

Since going to a psychiatrist is still an uncommon practice in Pakistani society with heavy taboos attached with it, an online service, with making the service accessible to all the people, will also eliminate that barrier of hesitance while making a physical visit.

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