TURBAT:
As of 2015, at least 50 million Pakistanis were believed to be suffering from some form of mental illness. The country is home to more than 200 million people but has one of the poorest mental health indicators and less than 500 psychiatrists for this population size. Since 2020 the rate of mental illnesses and suicide has drastically risen across the country.
Individuals between the ages of 16 to 25 are particularly more vulnerable to depression and substance abuse. Societal pressures coupled with constant change and the inability to share things with families or friends compel younger individuals to resort to self-harm or suicide. Individuals suffering from other mental health conditions such as Schizophrenia, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, etc also seldom receive adequate support.
The healthcare department needs to improve awareness about mental health conditions and destigmatise it through a widespread awareness campaign. It should also improve availability and accessibility to mental health support. General healthcare should include mental health services including rehabilitation.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 13th, 2023.
Like Business on Facebook, follow @TribuneBiz on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.
