Waqar Memon Interview English

interview of Sheeraz Ilyas Shaikh 

By Waqar Memon 

2k17/MC/153

Stay focused while 
going on road of ambition : Sheeraz Shaikh

Sheeraz Ilyas Shaikh is an assistant professor at Department of Psychology, University of Sindh. Mentor for many students as he is the only male teacher at Department of Psychology.

Why did you chose psychology?

A: It was my choice as I was only person in my family with all the expectations of my Mother to become someone to be a good researcher, my Mother wanted to see me succeed so it was my Motivation and after-all Psychology is a vast field if someone understand it appropriately.

Where did you study psychology?

A: I have been a very shy guy since my childhood but it wasn’t going to stop me go through various Institutes so I have done my Master’s Degree from University of Sindh and my MPhil from International Islamic University Islamabad andPhD from Karachi University.

What is the biggest achievement in your profession?

A: I have been teaching here in Sindh University for more than thirteen years and before joining here I have worked in different Institutes I was Vice Principal in a Private School and I left when I was appointed here, but It wasn’t only my achievement we could say big achievement. My biggest achievement is when I was promoted to Assistant Professor.

What was your designation here when you were appointed? As a lecturer or?

A: I wasn’t appointed as a Lecturer here I was appointed as RA (Research Assistant) and I was only receiving 7500/Rs per month and I never thought of working in such a low salary but when I joined here I was thinking I have achieved what I wanted what my Mother wanted for me no matter how much I was getting paid it wasn’t about money it was about my Mother’s dreams.

What are the psychological problems youngsters in Pakistan facing?

A: Approximately 58% youth are facing Mental Disorders and are being widely overlooked.Out of three every individual is suffering from Mental Disorder,The intensity of this growing problem can be measured by looking at the fact that limited research has been carried out at national level in the sector of youth Mental Disorder. According to the World Health Organization, the effect of mental health problems has reached at a dangerous level. 15000 suicides have been recorded and majority of individual of such cases are of individuals under age of 25, our youth is suffering from major mental disorders like, Depression,Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Schizophrenia.

How to cure these psychological problems?

A: We cannotentirely rely on Government, Government is still in progress it’s not completely able to cure these issues, there are other ways to solve the Psychological Disorders, most of the mental disorders are cured naturally by the age and Self-Determination but for that one should have to face it rather than fearing and running from it, while Psychologist are working, I am working on building a Rehabilitation Center here in Hyderabad but It will take a lot of time. 

Are there any Government Rehabilitation Centers in Pakistan?

A: Yes there are some centers & not only Government some Welfare Trusts have built Rehabilitation Centers around, there are many of them in Karachi like Umeed e Gah Rehabilitation Welfare Trustand FARRUKH Zahur Ahmad Trust of Clinical Psychology.

What would do if you have a chance to overcome these illnesses?

A: These disorders are not just illnesses.Mental disorder cannot be treated in a day It takes time to rehabilitate someone addicted, it takes time for meditation, medicines and self-determination until the individual is free of disorder and for that I would work on Anti-Addictions we have had some Awareness Seminars in past and still working on them, You young Journalists should help to spread messages and awareness programs to overcome this issue you see Students are suiciding on very young age because of pressures, pressure of Education so education system should be balanced and must be criticized by the media.