Importance of Online Mental Health Therapy in Changing the Lives of People in Pakistan.

People find it very hard when it comes to the question of seeking online therapy or in-person therapy. It is one of the most common questions faced by psychotherapists that whether to take online counseling or in-person counseling. Psychotherapy stands on the two basic principles of beneficence and non-maleficence, which simply means minimizing harm and maximizing benefits. With this view point, online counseling is more convenient and feasible than in-person counseling, especially in countries like Pakistan, which are less economically developed. Mental health is a taboo with very less awareness in Pakistan.

With the advent of digital platforms and the increasing need for healthcare, online mental health support is changing the lives of people across Pakistan.

Overview of Mental Health Crisis in Pakistan

According to the World Health Organization, 30 million people in Pakistan suffer from some kind of mental health issues; it ranges from minor issues like normal anxiety to major issues like schizophrenia. Yet, the country still lags in the quantity of mental health professionals for 240 million people. People in metropolis cities of Pakistan have only established mental health clinics and have awareness about the mental health dilemmas, but in other cities and remote areas, stigma is still attached to mental health.

Lack of infrastructure, insufficient opportunities, stigma, and limited access are the hurdles that are hindering the progress of mental health services in Pakistan. However, with the emergence of online therapy, narratives are starting to change.

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What is online mental health therapy?

It is counseling or psychotherapy conducted with the help of digital platforms, for instance, audio-video calls, chats, and text-based communications. Individuals can consult professional psychotherapists from home without the fear of judgment. Moreover, it is more beneficial for the people living in remote areas, who cannot travel miles for therapy.

In Pakistan, SehatYab is an online mental health platform that provides affordability, confidentiality, and easy access to therapy.

Importance of Online Therapy in Changing the Lives of People in Pakistan.

Breaking the stigma

Most societies in Pakistan are conservative, which consider taking therapy as a sign of weakness, and label it as something only for maniacs. The rate of stigmatization is higher in men than women because of notions of false masculinity. However, online therapy reduces this fear, and anyone from any gender can take therapy confidentially.

Easy accessibility

In Pakistan, mental health services are only present in the urban centers like Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad. Conversely, people of smaller cities are devoid of such resources, while they are also suffering from extreme mental health conditions. Moreover, people from remote areas avoid long-distance travel for therapy.

With online mental health platforms, it has become accessible for every person from any part of the country to access therapy.

Convenience

Online therapy is convenient for working professionals, students, or homemakers. Because it provides flexibility of time and place.

Affordability

Online therapies are less expensive than traditional in-person therapies. Additionally, people save transport expenses as well.

Role in the empowerment of women and youth

Women are the fuel through which the home runs. Due to strong household responsibilities and also because of safety concerns and cultural restrictions, it would become difficult for women to attend in-person therapies. Similarly, youth are facing a lot of challenges, from exam stress to relationship issues. Online therapy provides comfort to both women and youth. Where they feel less controlled and less judged.

Act as an immediate first aid.

Online therapy includes features like chats, emergency check-ins, and acts as immediate emotional first aid to help individuals in crisis.

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Challenges and the Way Forward

Despite progress in the digital realm of online therapy, some challenges persist.

Firstly, digital literacy is a very serious obstacle to the way of digital progress of online mental health support. Because not everyone is familiar and comfortable with using digital tools, especially the elderly and lower-class people.

Secondly, the issue of smooth internet access is another problem. In remote regions of Pakistan, the internet is not smoothly available. Hence, it becomes a challenge.

Lastly, conservative cultures have restrictions and misconceptions about therapy. Gradually, these situations are improving, yet still present in the majority.

To solve these issues, we need;

Awareness campaigns are required on social media platforms and educational platforms, like schools, colleges, and workplaces.

The Government of Pakistan must make a policy regarding the issue of mental health and the inclusion of society to solve issues.

Last but not least, a very important factor is religious awareness by community leaders. Societies in Pakistan are very attached to religious beliefs, so to inculcate a sense of mental health in them, it is necessary to seek help from community leaders to destigmatize mental health.

Role of SehatYab in Promoting Online Mental Health Support

SehatYab is one of the pioneer platforms of online mental health support. It consists of licensed mental health professionals, offers one-on-one therapy sessions, and provides mental health assessments. It also provides therapy for children, couples, and families with confidentiality and affordability.

In short, online mental health therapy is the need of the hour. With the modernization taking place in every corner of the world, it is pertinent to take advantage of digital platforms of mental health support like SehatYab. Furthermore, online mental health platforms are reshaping Pakistan’s mental health landscape. By overcoming issues in the way of the development of online mental health support, and by promoting awareness about online mental health, people in Pakistan can change the way they live while sitting at home.  

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), online therapy is the future, and no amount of resistance can change it.