Mental Illness — Getting Closer to My Mega-Project Problem
By: Komal Aziz
Tags: Mental Illness, Megaprojects, Mental Health

There’s no arguing that in the world we live in today, there are an infinite number of problems that need addressing. So when I brainstormed on what problem I want to focus on, there were quite a few things flying around in my head. However, something nudged me towards one key idea. A problem that has almost always been around us, but in the last couple of years, has become even more prominent. Mental Illness.

It wasn’t in a heartbeat that I decided this is the problem I personally want to work on, but a few hours into my brainstorming session every beat in my heart screamed for this problem to be chosen. When I contacted people around me to hear their thoughts on this topic, their responses were so overwhelming that I knew this was an important topic that needs to be addressed.

Sadly, most people in Pakistan do not admit that mental illness exists, or understand how dangerous it is. It has seeped into the very lives of people all around us and the recent pandemic and resulting quarantine has further worsened the situation. Just like physical illness, mental illness also requires medical attention. But firstly, it needs to be recognized.

A visualization of how mental illness can make one feel alone and helpless

With my mega project, I want to explore a specific dimension of mental illness. Although it is a problem that exists in different aspects of life, may that be due to studies, job, financial difficulties, domestic life, relationships, or traumatic events, I want to focus on the last one. My mega-project will be focused on dealing with patients of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Traumatic events can trigger a mental illness

People often don’t know how to ask for help, and when they do, others often don’t recognize it

Problem statement:

Mental illness and any discussion around it is considered a taboo in Pakistan. It is a prevailing problem in our country, and there are a number of individuals who desperately need help to cope with their mental illness, especially those who have to deal with a past traumatic experience. Awareness must be raised amongst the public to make it acceptable to seek help. There must be a safe space that not just helps people let out their emotional & mental stress, but also provides medical treatment by professionals to help them cope with PTSD, and gradually rehabilitate them back into our society.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Reading the alarming stats of how prevalent mental illness is around the world, and in Pakistan, has been eye-opening for me. Considering so many traumatic events in the country like assaults/blasts, survivors of such events must be given the help they need.

All these problems are ruthless mind games — and they need to be beaten. My research on the subject has arisen this drive inside of me to do something about it, even if it is on a very small scale; and Amal has presented me with the best opportunity to do that through this Mega Project.

There is a dialogue in the Harry Potter series, written by my favorite author JK Rowling, where Dumbledore says to Harry, “Of course it’s happening inside your head, but why on Earth should that mean it is not real?”

And I couldn’t agree more.