One in three Pakistani adults faces mental health disorder, study finds

Summary

• Researchers described it as the most comprehensive national assessment of mental health in Pakistan.
• The findings also revealed a significant burden of specific mental health conditions.
• Professor Raza-ur-Rahman said the findings provide an important evidence base for developing effective mental health policies and services.

AI Generated Summary

Pakistan’s first nationally representative mental health survey has revealed that nearly one in three adults in the country is living with a diagnosable mental or behavioural disorder. The findings highlight the growing need for accessible mental healthcare and stronger support systems across the country.

The five-year study, conducted between 2018 and 2022, involved nearly 18,000 adults from all four provinces. Researchers described it as the most comprehensive national assessment of mental health in Pakistan. The findings have been published in the British Medical Journal.

The research was led by Professor Raza-ur-Rahman of Hamdard University in Karachi, in collaboration with Brighton and Sussex Medical School in the United Kingdom, the University of South Florida in the United States and psychiatric institutions across Pakistan.

According to the survey, 32 per cent of adults were experiencing a mental or behavioural disorder at the time of assessment. Meanwhile, 38 per cent had experienced such a condition at some point in their lives.

The findings also revealed a significant burden of specific mental health conditions. Around one in five adults met the criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), while more than one in 10 experienced depression. In addition, six per cent of respondents reported having suicidal thoughts during the month preceding the assessment.