Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, stating that the family, the cornerstone of society, is facing the danger of collapse, draws attention to the increasing divorce rates. Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan also noted that society is in danger of abandoning its cultural identity, saying, “If the family disintegrates, no generation will remain in the future. In other words, what has made us who we are for centuries; it was family ties, family values. In society, family is sacred. It is the glue of social structures.”
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, made important evaluations regarding current issues in the program he attended on AKİT TV. Tarhan pointed out the importance of psychological resilience during the pandemic.
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that as a society, they started taking the COVID-19 pandemic seriously a week later, saying, “Until a week ago, we didn't realize the seriousness of the situation. We only understood when the statistics became fully clear. Before that, we thought 'we are better than the rest of the world, we have fewer patients, our healthcare system handles everything'. Now it's understood, and there was a sense of complacency due to this. This complacency led to mistakes in society. Serious difficulties and problems were experienced in managing this society in this regard. But now we need to leave the 'what ifs' behind and focus on what's next. The situation is really very serious now,” he said.
Very Serious Precautions Are Needed Regarding Covid-19
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that some people experience Covid-19 very severely, saying, “Some individuals have genetic susceptibility. So far, six genes have been identified. Those carrying these genes experience the disease lethally when infected. Therefore, those with these genes need to take more special precautions regarding the illness. The body overreacts and does not discriminate between old and young. The body reacts excessively as if a plastic substance is entering it. Due to the excessive reaction, the lungs fill with water, and death occurs in that manner. For this reason, since we do not know who this situation will affect, the most important thing we can do here is to take our precautions against the worst-case scenario. After taking our precautions, we need to return to our normal lives and routines,” he said.
Exaggerated Fear is Not Right
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that some people started living with constant COVID-19 fear during the pandemic, and expressed that manageable stress is beneficial, saying: “Fear is natural; of course, there will be fear. Fear is a human emotion. Therefore, it will exist, but exaggerated fear is not right. Manageable stress is beneficial. That's why we say there is stress, but no panic. We will manage stress without panicking and will not abandon precautions. Because in life, there are things within human power and things beyond it. There are things one can control, and things one cannot. We do not dominate nature. But we can take precautions against natural phenomena. Our relationship with the COVID-19 pandemic should be like our relationship with a storm. What do we do on stormy days, on winter days? We take our precautions but continue with our work. This is the same.”
We Will Take Precautions and Continue Our Lives
Most likely, the next one or two years will pass like this. Hopefully, it won't last that long, but we will take our precautions as if it will pass, like in a storm, and we will not live thinking about the storm or the winter for the rest of it. In other words, we will continue our normal lives. We need to manage our relationship with the pandemic in this way. Stress suppresses the immune system. People under intense stress are more prone to illness,” he said.
Attention to a Psychiatric Disease Epidemic After the Pandemic!
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, pointing out the importance of psychological resilience in the fight against the pandemic, said, “The spokesperson for the World Health Organization also announced recently. There are serious concerns that the second epidemic after COVID-19 will be an epidemic of psychiatric illnesses. Statistics show this. There are precursors, hopefully, it won't happen. If individuals take the necessary precautions against the pandemic and act calmly, it will most likely pass more lightly,” he said.
The Pandemic Should Be an Opportunity for Quiet Time
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, stating that the pandemic should be evaluated in terms of psychological health as much as physical health, said, “As a psychological dimension, everyone should be able to view this COVID-19 as an opportunity. The pandemic has given us more free time than ever before. It's an opportunity to dedicate quiet time to our families, spouses, and ourselves. It became an important opportunity to get to know ourselves, to develop ourselves; we had more time,” he said.
Let's Do Things That Will Serve Our Spiritual Progress
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that this time should not be spent merely watching films on television, and said: “Let's do things that will serve our spiritual progress. This is an opportunity. Especially at this time, finding free time in the fast-paced life of the 21st century is a great thing. This is an opportunity presented to us by fate. Let's think in this sense. This is a warning to us, both individually and socially. There is a price for disrespecting nature. Life is short, and time passes very quickly. Secularism has happened; we have become worldly. I'm not speaking in a political sense. Some people immediately misunderstand. The Turkish Language Association states that secularism means worldliness. In other words, humanity emerges living as if only this world exists. As if everything happens and ends in this world. However, humans can find the truth through reasoning methods. This period is also an opportunity for us to question what the meaning of life is, what existence is. So we can also think of COVID-19 in a positive light. Divine will, through this pandemic, is somehow speaking to us in the language of events. It wants us to draw some lessons from the language of events. If the world is a test, Rumi says: 'We do not live in the world; we pass through the world.' People of the present time here do not succumb to temporary pleasures; they question their existence. Now is an opportunity. We must definitely think from this dimension too.” Emphasizing that the psychological aspect of the pandemic must be addressed, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that an increase in psychiatric illnesses is expected after the pandemic and drew attention to the need for psychology and psychiatry specialists to be included in the pandemic science board.
This Pandemic is a Psychological Phenomenon
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that this issue was also highlighted in the COVID-19 report prepared in China, saying, “The corona infection is a health problem. But the pandemic is a psychological phenomenon,” it says. The epidemic is separate, the infection is separate. This is not a matter to be solved by infectious disease specialists. The COVID-19 report states that this pandemic is a psychological phenomenon. The psychological management of this pandemic is currently being overlooked. As a result, public anxiety increases even more. If precautions are not taken, queues will start in front of psychiatric clinics. This process is built on trust among people. In other words, a relationship that provides trust to people needs to be established. Unfortunately, this is not being done right now. There are currently questions in society regarding the statistics provided. That is, one needs to be open, transparent, and honest. When concrete measures were taken recently, the situation became serious. When the numbers came out, it started to recover. Where there is uncertainty, people believe in conspiracy theories.
I Will Also Get Vaccinated
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, also referring to vaccine studies, said, “People ask which of the vaccines is ideal. Currently, the mRNA vaccine was produced for the first time with such an offer. And antibodies were measured in the body. However, discussions about this artificial method affecting genes are ongoing. Normally, it should have been released after one or two years of trials. It was released quickly. Its medium and long-term effects on people are unknown. But China's vaccine is a classic vaccine model. There's a saying, ‘The shortest path is the known path.’ I explain it this way to people. I say I will get it when it becomes available. ”
Marriages Decreased, Divorces Increased
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, pointing out that according to the data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), there was a six-fold difference in the increase of divorce rates versus marriage rates in 2019, said, “Divorce is increasing, and the marriage rate has started to decline. The divorce rate is six times higher than before. TÜİK statistics are very clear. I saw that this situation was perceived as just a delusion, an apprehension, an exaggeration. I was somewhat surprised. A lady in parliament, who discusses family issues and advocates conservative values, recently said on a television channel that when a topic like 'the family as the last refuge' was discussed, it was greatly exaggerated. She said, ‘Turkey's family structure is very strong; where does this idea come from?’ And do you know what she said? ‘When we say family, it doesn't just mean a man and a woman. So, a child and a father are also a family.’ We are currently in full cultural indoctrination,” he said.
Tarhan, warning that “in 20-50 years, we will be like the Netherlands,” said, “How is it in the Netherlands, how is it in Stockholm, how is it in Oslo? Currently, in Sweden, there are 1,700 women's shelters. Its population is not even 10 million. Over 50 percent of children are born out of wedlock. People are not getting married. The Netherlands applies gender equality as follows: Children in kindergarten are not dressed in girls' clothes or boys' clothes. It is said that they will not be forced in this regard under the name of gender equality. Consequently, girls start dressing like boys, and boys like girls. Children cannot decide on these things. These are not genetic but social roles. Sexuality is a social role. It is learned through cultures,” he said.
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that we are in danger of abandoning our cultural identity, saying, “If the family disintegrates, no generation will remain in the future. In other words, what has made us who we are for centuries; it was family ties, family values. In society, family is sacred. It is the glue of social structures. The family is therefore protected by the constitution,” he said.
The Istanbul Convention Needs to Be Discussed
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, stating that amendments should be made to the Implementing Regulation of Law No. 6284 on the Protection of Family and Prevention of Violence Against Women, said that crime rates, violence, and psychiatric cases have increased due to laws that do not conform to our culture. Tarhan stated that individuals who commit violence have psychological problems, alcohol or drug addiction, and said, “These individuals must be compulsorily treated and taken to rehabilitation centers. The Istanbul Convention has legitimate aspects, such as taking measures against violence. We need to be objective on this matter. The starting point is a justified reason, but the method used creates more problems. There is Article 72 of the Convention. In that article, if all members wish, many members have objections on this matter, and they can place a reservation here. Therefore, at least Turkey needs to open this convention for discussion. Let's protect the starting point of this convention. The convention can be revised,” he said.
We Must Teach Our National Values Before the Age of 10
Tarhan, noting the importance of educating children and young people who constitute the future of society, said, “There are definitely things to be done as a society here. Currently, in this regard, education policies, unfortunately, policymakers and educators operate merely like a ministry of teachers. It is not a ministry of education. It would be more honest if they said at least a national ministry of teachers. Therefore, we need to criticize here in the name of truth, so that education can only happen if a difference in this regard occurs in society. There are many well-intentioned people in Ankara. Being well-intentioned is not enough. Strategic priorities are also needed in some areas. Currently, our education system is coded for raising people. It is focused on raising people with capitalist ethics. The ego ideal given to young people includes sex, fame, and reputation. These are seen as ego ideals. Let's not expect too much from the system. In that case, everyone needs to raise their child according to their own values. We taught our children our national values before the age of 10, we taught them. After that, since the child enters adolescence, they become part of popular culture. In fact, Hollywood is currently educating our children. Therefore, if we are thinking about our future 10 or 20 years from now, what shapes our child's culture and beliefs in society are models, examples. It is the warm environment of parents and home. It is being in a loving environment and children taking their mother and father as role models in this regard. Ibn Khaldun said, to someone who asked, 'How should I raise my child?' 'As you are, so your child will be raised.' The same rule applies. The main point is this; up to the age of 10, social roles are more influential for the child. The seeds we plant in the child's developing soul up to the age of 10 are very important. Getting together as a family, reading books, having conversations. But not in an authoritarian way,” he said.
We Provide Family Education with the Families at University Project
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that as Üsküdar Üniversitesi, they have implemented the 'Families at University' Project, supported by the Istanbul Governorship, saying, “This is the university's social responsibility project. It is a project carried out voluntarily with expert psychologists from our university's implementation partner, NPİSTANBUL Beyin Hastanesi. They participate in this voluntarily. We completed the first stage of this project. First, the white group consists of children up to 18 years old. Over 100 children participated in this. The pink group, consisting of those in the pre-marriage period, is the second; the orange group, experiencing problems in their marriage, is the third; and the red group, now on the verge of divorce, is the fourth. We conduct the trainings online in the project. We have moved on to the second stage. We are carrying it out with 4 district governorships. We are currently providing counseling to these groups, offering six weeks of training. With this project, we provide education to families. In America, this type of training is given to families on the verge of breakdown. They take a family for the weekend. Three to five family therapists work with them in a summer house. Parents are worked with separately, and children separately. It's like a family renewal and refreshment project. In this way, problems in the family are resolved before they escalate. We also wanted to implement a similar project, so we are providing education in families,” he said.
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that such education should be widespread in society, saying, “The family commission in parliament called us. They have plans to work on this issue. Efforts are ongoing. Solutions exist, and hopefully, they will be implemented. Let's not be pessimistic; there are problems, but there are also solutions. The political will is making efforts in this regard. Instead of dealing with the negative right now, let's focus on the positive and increase it. That's why we should do this. If there are a few activities here, it's a gain. If this is accepted, it will become widespread in society,” he said.
We Will Carry Out Joint Work with Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that they are carrying out joint work with the Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality within the scope of the 'Families at University' Project, saying, “Ms. Fatma came to Istanbul. Now we will sign a cooperation agreement. There are psychologists at the municipality; we will provide them with trainer training, for implementation there. Again, here, instead of complaining or grumbling, we need to take concrete steps. Child psychiatry cases have increased, child violence has increased,” he said.
Let's Activate Our Own Values
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that 2021 would be the age of wisdom, saying, “Currently, Eastern wisdom is taught as a course at Harvard. In 2019, they introduced a positive psychology course against the suicide epidemic. The solution lies in our own values. It needs to be presented with a scientific methodology. We need to have value-based education. Children will learn our values while being taught physics and mathematics through education. They are rediscovering it now. Let me tell you, 2021 will be the year of wisdom. The world is heading in this direction. Let's activate our own values. Therefore, let's definitely not be pessimistic here,” he said.