Mental Health and Violence: Breaking Pakistan’s Cycle of Stigma and Suffering

The shocking incident in North Karachi, where a father set his three children on fire before taking his own life, has left communities reeling. Two of the children tragically died, and the third remains in critical condition. This devastating act forces Pakistan to confront an uncomfortable truth: mental health neglect can have deadly consequences.

Investigations revealed that Muhammad Arif, the father at the center of this tragedy, had been grappling with severe emotional distress. Instead of receiving professional mental health care, he sought help from faith healers, a choice driven by widespread stigma and a lack of accessible, affordable psychological services. His story reflects the systemic failures—social, cultural, and institutional—that continue to undermine mental health support in Pakistan.

The Taboo That Kills

Mental health remains deeply stigmatised in many parts of Pakistani society. Seeking psychological help is often viewed as a sign of weakness or “madness,” leading individuals to avoid mental health professionals altogether. Instead, many turn to informal spiritual remedies, which, while culturally significant for some, are no substitute for medical treatment.

This reluctance to seek help is compounded by:

• Limited access to affordable, trained mental health professionals
• Lack of public awareness about mental health conditions and treatments
• Cultural norms that discourage open discussion about emotional distress

When Families Suffer in Silence

The most vulnerable victims of untreated mental illness are often children. Exposure to domestic violence, parental mental health struggles, or substance abuse creates a toxic environment that can have long-lasting effects on their emotional and psychological development.

Children in such households often:

• Witness violence and abuse, normalising harmful behaviour
• Develop anxiety, depression, or trauma disorders
• Carry these scars into adulthood, perpetuating cycles of harm

The North Karachi tragedy is a harrowing example of how untreated mental illness can spiral into catastrophic violence, destroying entire families in a matter of moments.

The Way Forward: Urgent Reforms Needed

Addressing this crisis requires bold, coordinated action from government agencies, civil society, and the medical community.

1. National Public Awareness Campaigns

• Educate the public about mental health conditions, symptoms, and treatment options
• Use TV, radio, and social media to normalise help-seeking behaviour
• Involve religious leaders and community elders to challenge harmful stigma

2. Accessible Mental Health Services

• Increase the number of trained psychologists and psychiatrists in public hospitals
• Subsidise mental health consultations to make them affordable for low-income families
• Establish helplines and crisis intervention teams for those in distress

3. Child Protection Strengthening

• Expand child-friendly mental health services nationwide
• Train teachers, healthcare workers, and social workers in trauma-informed care
• Create strong reporting systems for suspected abuse and family violence

4. Mental Health Education in Schools

• Integrate emotional well-being and resilience training into the curriculum
• Provide school counselors in every public and private school
• Encourage peer support programs to help students talk openly about emotional struggles

Breaking the Cycle of Silence

If Pakistan is to prevent future tragedies like North Karachi, the culture of silence around mental health must be dismantled. Every suicide, every act of domestic violence linked to untreated mental illness, is a reminder that the cost of ignoring mental health is measured in lives.

By normalising conversations, investing in services, and protecting vulnerable children, we can move toward a society where emotional distress is met with compassion and professional care—not shame and neglect.

Mental health is not a luxury; it is as essential as physical health. Ignoring it not only endangers individuals but can also unravel the fabric of families and communities. In Pakistan, breaking the stigma is not just about awareness—it’s about survival.