Mahrukh Mustansar
National Defense University, Pakistan
Title: The Psychological and Mental Health Strengthening for the Victims of Extremism
Biography
Biography: Mahrukh Mustansar
Abstract
Extremism, specifically violent extremism has emerged as one of the most serious issues in contemporary world. There is an immediate and extremely urgent need for mental health rehabilitation of both victims and witnesses of extremist violent acts in Pakistan. Depression is a major mental health disorder among this population and there is very little help available for these individuals in Pakistan. A framework of mental health rehabilitation does not exist and we have conducted this study to elucidate the stress level of the victims of extremism, and to measure their current psychosocial stressors according to DSM IV. Furthermore, to explore the relationship between mental health condition and psychosocial stressors, which can be advantageous in formulating a framework for rehabilitation services to resolve inner conflict and to provide better social integration in a peaceful society. Decision making process of obtaining funding and resources for this massive undertaking was also explored. Study included interviews of 70 victims between the ages of 18-74 from various different institutes and hospitals from all four provinces of Pakistan. A strong linear relationship was noted between depression and psychosocial stressors among the victims of extremism in Pakistan. The study strongly suggests that there is an immediate need for rehabilitation and mental health care provision for the victims of extremism in Pakistan and emphasizes a categorical need for allocation of resources from the government and authorities of Pakistan towards the rehabilitation framework.