A recent mental health conference has revealed alarming statistics about the psychological state of Pakistan’s population, painting a grim picture of a nation in distress.
Experts disclosed that nearly 34% of Pakistanis suffer from some form of mental illness, while around 1,000 suicides were reported in the past year alone, largely linked to untreated psychological disorders.
The findings were shared during the 26th International Conference on Mental Illness held in Karachi, which underscored how economic instability, social pressures, and recurring natural disasters have worsened mental well-being across the country.
According to data presented at the conference, one in every three Pakistanis — and one in five people globally — experiences mental health challenges. The most prevalent disorders include depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.
Experts highlighted that women face heightened vulnerability to depression due to domestic conflicts, lack of empowerment, and social marginalization. Among youth, rising drug addiction — especially to methamphetamine (“ice”) — has emerged as a major contributor to mental decline.
Frequent floods, earthquakes, and terrorist incidents have compounded the trauma, leaving thousands grappling with post-disaster stress. Economic uncertainty and unemployment have deepened hopelessness among the younger population, fueling further emotional strain.
Despite this growing crisis, Pakistan faces an acute shortage of mental health professionals. The country has only about 90 psychiatrists for a population exceeding 240 million — a stark contrast to the global standard of one psychiatrist per 10,000 people. In Pakistan, the ratio stands at one for every 550,000 individuals.
The conference also revealed that roughly 10% of Pakistan’s population is addicted to drugs, amplifying mental health problems nationwide.
Participants urged the government to declare mental health a national priority, calling for targeted youth support programs, community counseling centers, and awareness campaigns to address the worsening crisis.
