A student at Beaconhouse National University in Lahore died recently. Her death has started very important conversations. When she was taken to the hospital, she was allegedly refused service because it was a case of an “attempted” suicide. She was transferred to General Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries after an unsuccessful surgery in an effort to save her. The death shocked many, prompting the dire need to take mental health more seriously.
Actress Mahira Khan took to social media to express her dismay and shock over the student’s harrowing death.
Mahira asked “when will we start taking mental health seriously?” and denounced how there is a gaping hole in the country’s education system regarding mental health; “When will we stop calling people mad or ridicule them for how they feel? We need counselors in schools. Not just for students. We need to educate parents and teachers!!”
The actress attached a Facebook status regarding the student who passed away, and how upsetting the final moments of her life were.
When will we start taking mental health seriously? When will we stop calling people mad or ridicule them for how they feel?
We need counselors in schools. Not just for students. We need to educate parents and teachers!! pic.twitter.com/JnEQZj59dd— Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) November 27, 2018
Mahira posted another tweet with the student’s own status, where it insinuated she was already in pain.
Mahira emphasized how important it is to “start by reading and understanding what someone suffering had to say before they left.”
Maybe we can start by reading and understanding what someone suffering had to say before they left. Rest In Peace.. Rushaan Farrukh pic.twitter.com/sdlwXEBNXC
— Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) November 27, 2018
The actress also shared a platform for those affected by the student’s death to reach out
Anyone affected by the tragedy at #BNU today – please, please feel free to reach out to us. You are not alone.
— The Colour Blue (@colourblueorg) November 26, 2018
People addressed Mahira’s tweets, agreeing with how mental health is always brushed aside in this country
Indeed this is true and it's good that celebs are also supporting these issues because awareness is required among the people in order to deal with situations like these..and also the fact that mental health issues are considered a "drama" in our society must and should end..
— Fatima~ (@itsFatimaahere) November 27, 2018
social comparison, benchmarks, and judgements by society towards young kids. agreed, family especially parents are the key. unfortunately, nowadays kids are afraid to discuss struggles with their parents coz of disappointment, reaction, anger and lack of understanding from them.
— Ahsan Javed (@EssenJaved) November 27, 2018
Exactly! It's equally important to educate people around the person who's feeling not ok. Most of the time they aggravate the situation.
— Maria (@_mariyaboon) November 27, 2018
Thank you Mahira for speaking out about the issue. So many are suffering in silence.
— Javeria (@javzirks) November 27, 2018
That's the thing with people. We don't value someone or something when they're here, it's only after they've left that we realize how wrong we were and what did we do. No one is willing to take mental illness seriously, it's high time we find professionals for this & try to do +
— شنایا. (@shanayaaa7) November 27, 2018
I hope this heart breaking incident makes difference. May we start being empathetic to all. May we stop judging and gossiping
— BornToEat (@Junejo95) November 27, 2018
What are your thoughts on Mahira’s statements?
A Student’s Horrifying Death In BNU Lahore Yesterday Is Making People Talk About Mental Health But Is It Enough?