ASSESSMENT OF THE BARRIERS OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN PAKISTANI COMMUNITY

Introduction: In order to upgrade the national mental health infrastructure and utilization, we need to identify and resolve the barriers in the community. Aim: The aim of this study is to locate and assess the barriers to mental health services utilization and dellvery in context of Pakistani community from a caregiver’s perspective and to draft the recommendations for the stake holders. Methods: The study was based on mixed research protocols in this cross sectional survey. The quantitative part was conducted with the attendants who have been attending psychiatric patients in Jinnah Hospital Lahore, and the qualitative part was conducted with the psychiatric consultants in the country. Results: 200 attendants and 10 psychiatric consultants participated in the study. According to the carers the important barriers towards the utilization of mental health services includes: the myths around mental illness, shifting to alternative treatments such as religious and eastern medicine, remoteness of the tertiary mental health facility, insufficient mental health staff, and lack of prioritization of mental health by the stakeholders. In addition to these barriers, the psychiatric clinicians identified social stigmatization, expensive medications, and concerns about adverse effects of medicines such as addiction, dependence, sedation are considered as important barriers. The participants suggested several solutions to remove the barriers for the mental health services delivery. Conclusion: Care provider and psychiatrists are aware of the barriers to exercise mental health services in Pakistan. Addressing these barriers require a dynamic policy and political resolve. Keywords: Barriers, Mental health, Utilization, Pakistan