Mental health issues seem to have become a growing concern in the last couple of years with the rise of ADHD, bipolar disorder, and depression. Whether the cause of this growth is an increase in the diagnosis of these disorders or an actual rise in prevalence is unclear, at least to me. I think that in the US, mental health has become an especially prominent issue. Many other countries really do not have the luxury to consider mental health issues when they are struggling to provide health care, let alone food and water.
The social and cultural stigmas that surround mental health may have begun to decline, but as this article makes clear, they are far from gone. The article describes how traditionally Afghans regarded mental health issues as embarrassing, as the fault of the person suffering the condition. While the US has begun the process to provide better mental health support for its armed forces (especially when considering some of the recent shootings and the rise of military suicides), many countries still do not grant mental illness legitimacy, making it even harder for individuals to find treatment. The Taliban apparently refuse to aid those families who have a member that suffers from mental health issues caused by the war, unless there's a physical injury. Even when the families try to help those affected, I have to wonder what kind of ability they actually have to do so--especially in this case. The Taliban have made clear their stance on gender equality, and with most of the combatants being male, I would think women have little to no ability to seek treatment for their husbands, fathers, and sons if they do not willingly accept it. The refusal of care is even more difficult to avert here in these countries disrupted by warfare and government instability, because proper education is not in place which gives rise to stigmas and disbelief. But clearly, mental health issues are just as dangerous and as real, if not more so, than a physical condition.
Another good point the article makes is bring to light the culture of violence and upheaval that war-torn countries or countries lacking stability (in government, in economy, etc.) face. Colombia is similar in this respect, in that they now have a growing mental health problem from the years of FARC/ELN/government drug warfare. The Middle East clearly will suffer from the remnants of war and upheaval for years to come, and not just fighters but citizens too. This is one of the inevitable side effects of war that I think often gets over-looked--war creates this culture, especially when the odds are so uneven. You take a country like the US with all of this access to weaponry and an "advanced" health care system and compare it to countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq and others who not only have limited military resources, but also disorganized often corrupt governments and little to no access to health care. The disparities that exist country to country, and even state to state to some degree, amaze me.
While thinking all this over, I can not help but sympathize with the families of the Taliban. At the same time though, I recognize the rage that many Americans feel towards those fighting against us. It brings about the question that if these people's governments and organizations won't provide adequate care, then who's duty is it to do so? And as much as I know it's an impossibly idealistic thought, I would like to think that we share a common responsibility to better humankind's plight, enemy or friend. Is there a cost-effective way to do this, is it achievable? I have no clue.
If people come away with anything from this article though, I hope they realize that PTSD and other mental health issues are real, viable concerns, regardless of who they affect, and that war has very real effects for those who take part in it.
Reading this article and your analysis left me with a increased appreciation of the importance of perceptions related to illnesses. How might public health campaigns convert community perceptions of mental illness as personal weakness or bad spirits into an image of genuine disease that requires care?
ReplyDeleteIt is likely that until afflicted communities adopt a disease-model for psychopathology, mental disorders will continue to be under-diagnosed and mismanaged.
Mental illnesses are among the most debilitating and destructive pathologies. Given the cyclic connection between mental health, physical well-being, and socioeconomic status it is interesting that societies downplay the legitimacy of psychiatric conditions. How do you change long-held views regarding disease?
It is important to reduce social stigmas related to mental illness in Afganistan, but how? A mass advertising campaign with a slogan like, "A sick mind is like an upset stomach. It won't be able to do it's job until you treat it"? Support groups for war veterans?
Societal perceptions are not the only barrier to treatment for psychiatric diseases. PTSD is a significant problem here in the U.S, and our social stigmas related to mental illness are not nearly as severe.
I think one of the main things I realize after reading an article like this is the effect that war and constant discord within a country has on the entire population. It is no just the soldiers that are effected by PTSD but every single person is at risk and it has far reaching consequences. The member of the Taliban talked about in this story is a good example because a family member is now working full time to help his brother find treatment.
ReplyDeleteI do believe that the United States has a responsibility to the citizens of Afghanistan to treat them and help them find adequate care if they are suffering from PTSD. It would be irresponsible to turn the other way and ignore this problem because many citizens of Afghanistan are suffering without every taking part in battle.
I think more clinics are necessary in the country to try and help the Afghan people. What cost effective ways are there to safely treat the people of that country safely and adequately? Mental illness is a serious problem and they need to be educated that it is not a curse, and is something that can be cured like many other diseases