Disturbed lives: Mental illness on the rise in K-P
More than 33 per cent of people in Pakistan are suffering from mental and psychological disorders
PESHAWAR:
More than 33 per cent of people in Pakistan are suffering from mental and psychological disorders. Due to terrorism, natural disasters and displacement of people from different areas, the number of patients is increasing at an accelerated pace in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) as compared to the other provinces.
However, in the whole country, very few doctors specialise in the treatment of mental and psychological disorders in proportion to the number of patients. Furthermore, only 40 doctors treat such patients in K-P.
Out of these, most are not up to date when it comes to latest advancements in the treatment of mental disorders. Also, a majority of such patients do not receive treatment for psychiatric disorders and 40 to 50 per cent of them have no access to treatment facilities.
The need for mental healthcare, thus, remains an unmet one.
This information was shared by the Head of the department of psychiatry at Khyber Medical College, Prof Dr Mohammad Sultan, on Thursday, while addressing at a press conference at Peshawar Press Club in connection with the World Mental Health Day. This year, the theme of the World Mental Health Day is “Living with Schizophrenia”.
Dr Sultan shared that mental disorders were also increasing among children and 10 to 15 per cent children were found suffering from them this year, adding that lack of facilities in public sector hospitals and shortage of funds are major hurdles.
Mental illnesses are curable if treated on time, said the doctor, urging the government to concentrate on this area.
Due to lack of awareness, unaware people in Pakistan use detrimental methods like closing patients in dark rooms, chaining them and making them visit shrines of saints.
“This day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and discuss what needs to be done to improve mental health care,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 10th, 2014.
More than 33 per cent of people in Pakistan are suffering from mental and psychological disorders. Due to terrorism, natural disasters and displacement of people from different areas, the number of patients is increasing at an accelerated pace in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) as compared to the other provinces.
However, in the whole country, very few doctors specialise in the treatment of mental and psychological disorders in proportion to the number of patients. Furthermore, only 40 doctors treat such patients in K-P.
Out of these, most are not up to date when it comes to latest advancements in the treatment of mental disorders. Also, a majority of such patients do not receive treatment for psychiatric disorders and 40 to 50 per cent of them have no access to treatment facilities.
The need for mental healthcare, thus, remains an unmet one.
This information was shared by the Head of the department of psychiatry at Khyber Medical College, Prof Dr Mohammad Sultan, on Thursday, while addressing at a press conference at Peshawar Press Club in connection with the World Mental Health Day. This year, the theme of the World Mental Health Day is “Living with Schizophrenia”.
Dr Sultan shared that mental disorders were also increasing among children and 10 to 15 per cent children were found suffering from them this year, adding that lack of facilities in public sector hospitals and shortage of funds are major hurdles.
Mental illnesses are curable if treated on time, said the doctor, urging the government to concentrate on this area.
Due to lack of awareness, unaware people in Pakistan use detrimental methods like closing patients in dark rooms, chaining them and making them visit shrines of saints.
“This day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and discuss what needs to be done to improve mental health care,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 10th, 2014.