APROPOS Rafia Zakaria`s article `An almost happy country` (Sept 20). The writer has rightly pointed out that the countries where mental illness is either ignored or ridiculed can never top the happiness index.
Happiness is the sum of one`s overall mental health. However, in Pakistan, suggesting those suffering from mental problems to visit a psychiatrist usually irks them. Those who dare to visit are mostly laughed at because a psychiatrist in our society is defined as `a doctor of mad people` and ,0f course, no one would like to be called insane.
A country where visiting a psychiatrist is considered taboo, finding mentally fit people will be difficult. Awareness in this regard is of paramount importance.
