Experts urge government to adopt comprehensive national mental health strategy to tackle growing crisis
KARACHI:
One in three people in Pakistan suffers from some type of psychological problem, experts revealed during the 26th International Conference on Mental Health, held in Karachi. The alarming numbers highlight a growing mental health crisis driven by social, economic and environmental stressors.
Chairman of the Scientific Committee of the conference, Professor Muhammad Iqbal Afridi, told The Express PAkGazette that 34 per cent of Pakistan’s population (one in three people) is affected by mental disorders, compared to one in five globally.
She said women are disproportionately affected, largely due to domestic conflicts and social inequality. “Women in Pakistan are often deprived of the respect and recognition they deserve, leading to higher levels of depression and anxiety,” she noted.
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Professor Afridi added that the use of narcotics such as methamphetamine (ice) and other addictive substances is causing an increase in mental health problems among young people. He also pointed out repeated natural disasters – floods and earthquakes, along with terrorism and violence, as important factors causing psychological trauma among people.
Speaking on the occasion, Professor Wajid Ali Akhundzada, President of Pakistan Psychiatric Society, said: “One in four youth and one in five children in Pakistan suffer from some form of psychological illness.” It estimated that around 2.5 million people are affected by serious mental health conditions, often related to economic hardship, political instability and disaster-related stress.
He further revealed that 10 percent of Pakistanis are drug addicts. He mentioned that around 1,000 people took their lives last year due to mental problems.
Experts at the conference warned that the country faces a serious shortage of mental health professionals. With a population of 240 million, Pakistan has only 90 qualified psychiatrists, while the World Health Organization recommends one psychiatrist for every 10,000 people. Currently, there is approximately one psychiatrist for every 550,000 patients, a ratio described as “grossly inadequate”.
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Psychiatrist Dr. Afzal Javed and other speakers said Pakistan’s economic instability, unemployment, recurring natural disasters and border tensions have contributed to widespread psychological distress, particularly among young people. “Young people today feel hopeless and insecure about their future,” said Dr. Javed.
Experts urged the government to adopt a comprehensive national mental health strategy to tackle the growing crisis. They also drew attention to environmental degradation, noting that Pakistan’s tree cover is only four percent, exacerbating climate change-related anxiety and stress among the population.
