Researchers from Hamdard University, Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS), the University of South Florida and psychiatric institutions across Pakistan have found that nearly one in three adults in Pakistan are living with a diagnosable mental and behavioural disorder, according to the country's first nationally representative psychiatric morbidity survey.
Key findings:
- 32% of adults were currently living with a mental and behavioural disorder
- 38% had experienced a disorder during their lifetime
- Nearly one in five participants met criteria for PTSD
- More than one in ten adults had depression
- 6% reported suicidal thoughts in the previous month
Published in BMJ Public Health, the study surveyed nearly 18,000 adults across all four provinces of Pakistan, making it the largest and most comprehensive assessment of mental health ever undertaken in the country. Using internationally recognised diagnostic methods, researchers examined the prevalence of a wide range of mental and behavioural disorders, their associations with social and economic factors, and their impact on people's daily lives.
The study found that around 32% of adults were currently living with a mental and behavioural disorder, while almost 38% had experienced one during their lifetime. The most common conditions were neurotic and stress-related disorders, affecting almost a quarter of adults, followed by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which was identified in nearly one in five participants. Depression affected more than one in ten adults. Around 6% of participants reported suicidal thoughts during the previous month, while approximately 1% reported having attempted suicide at some point in their lives.
Researchers also identified marked social inequalities in mental health. Higher rates of psychiatric morbidity were observed among older adults, people with lower levels of income and education, those who were unemployed, and individuals who were separated, divorced or widowed. Mental disorders were associated with substantial impairment in work, family and social functioning, underlining their profound personal, societal and economic consequences.
Professor Razaur Rahman, Dean of the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at Hamdard University, Karachi, who led the study, said: "This survey provides the evidence needed to develop effective mental health policies and services in Pakistan. It identifies who is most at risk, where support is most needed, and the scale of the unmet need for care. We hope it will contribute to reducing stigma and improving access to diagnosis and treatment for millions of people."
Professor Anjum Memon, Chair in Epidemiology and Public Health Medicine at BSMS and senior author of the study, said: "This is a landmark moment for mental health research in Pakistan. For decades, policymakers have had to rely on fragmented local studies or international estimates. We now have robust national evidence showing, for the first time, the true scale of mental and behavioural disorders across the country.
These findings highlight the urgent need for greater investment in accessible, affordable and culturally appropriate mental healthcare services. They also demonstrate the power of international research collaborations in addressing some of the world's most pressing public health challenges."
The findings come at a time when mental health is increasingly recognised as a global public health priority. Pakistan, a country of more than 247 million people, faces major challenges in the provision of mental healthcare, including limited specialist services and a severe shortage of trained mental health professionals. The researchers hope this survey will provide a foundation for future policy development, service planning, workforce training and community-based support programmes.
The researchers call for greater integration of mental healthcare into primary care services, increased investment in community-based support, enhanced training for frontline health workers, and sustained efforts to tackle the stigma that continues to surround mental illness.
Read the full study here >