Pakistan is ranked as the second leading country where the unnatural cause of death is increasing each year due to mental disturbance. The Pakistan nation faces the challenges of mental health due to different reasons like cultural aspects, instability in politics, unstable economies, high unemployment rates, and an alarming 36% depression rate. With the increasing mental health challenges Pakistan needs a lifetime solution to solve all mental health problems and this solution is online therapy. For many people in Pakistan who are looking for mental health care, online therapy is a great alternative because of its accessibility, cost, and security. Let’s see in detail why we need online therapy to solve all the challenges of mental health in Pakistan.
The Growing Need for Mental Health Services in Pakistan
The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that one in four persons have a neurological or mental illness at some point in their lifetime. Millions of Pakistanis of all ages suffer from common mental health conditions like anxiety, stress, and depression.
Why are mental health issues increasing in Pakistan?
The major reason behind this increasing rate is the limited mental health resources as well as stigma and misconception of people which turn them to their alternative healers instead of consulting the psychiatrists. Another reason is the lack of qualified professionals and the high cost of traditional therapy. In Pakistan, there is an immediate need for widely accessible mental health therapies because recent data show that there are just 500 psychiatrists serving the whole population.
What is Online Therapy?
Online therapy is also called teletherapy or e-therapy. It is a way of delivering mental health treatments using online resources and digital platforms. Online means people can get mental health therapy through emails, phone calls, chat sessions, and video calls. This helps people get mental health care quickly and easily from the comfort of their homes. This is all possible through the technology that allows psychiatrists to provide an effective alternative to their patients as compared to traditional in-person treatment.
Advantages of Online Therapy in Pakistan
Accessibility and Convenience
The accessibility of online therapy is one of its biggest benefits. It helps to fill those gaps in mental health care that the nation of Pakistan has due to rural places and the lack of mental health services. Online therapy makes it possible for people to get the help of professionals without traveling long distances. Another benefit is that online therapy sessions are very flexible in time so that patients can take sessions at any time without worrying about their busy schedule and are also flexible for those who live in different time zones. This amount of flexibility and convenience is beneficial for all working professionals, students, and parents who choose to stay at home. A survey shows that only 63% of people who utilized online therapy services said that the convenience of scheduling was an important element in their decision.
Affordability
Higher therapy costs are one of the main reasons behind the limited consultation with mental health providers in Pakistan. Because traditional therapies are no doubt expensive and make it difficult for people to access mental health support. That’s why I would prefer online therapies that have lower prices and are affordable to the common people of Pakistan. When you search for a therapist near me then you see there are different online platforms for mental therapies and each one has different prices.
The patient’s financial status can influence these charges. According to study, online treatment is 50% less expensive than traditional in-person therapy consultations. Now it is simple for everyone to maintain their mental health as mental health treatments are more affordable.
Anonymity and Privacy
People in Pakistan feel embarrassed if someone knows about their mental sickness. The people are afraid of being judged or stigmatized if they get the psychiatrist’s assistance. People want this health problem to be kept secret from others. This is one of the reasons for not taking medical assistance. But now this problem is also resolved as online therapy provides a great level of anonymity that is not possible in traditional therapies. Online platforms give you an option to remain anonymous means no one can find your identity. This is very helpful for people who are hesitant to ask for assistance because of relevant pressure or a fear of being identified. Moreover, online platforms also ensure that every session is taken privately and securely which protects the client’s privacy.
Wide Range of Services
When we talk about traditional mental health care then for each specialty we have to go to a different mental healthcare provider. But through online therapy platforms, you get all types of mental health services under one platform. Whether you are dealing with depression, anxiety, relationship issues, or other types of stress, you get all types of online psychologists in Pakistan through one platform. According to studies, the wide range of alternative therapies available online can increase treatment satisfaction and efficacy by up to 30% when compared to traditional approaches. All those features make online therapy a Game-Changer for Mental Health in Pakistan.
Source: The Lancet
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