KARACHI, Pakistan

One out of three individuals in Pakistan is currently suffering from some form of psychological disorder, experts revealed during a major international mental health conference held in Karachi. These alarming figures highlight a growing mental health crisis driven by a confluence of social, economic, and environmental stressors.

Scientific Committee Chairman of the conference, Professor Muhammad Iqbal Afridi, stated that 34 percent of Pakistan’s population is affected by mental disorders, a stark contrast to the global average of one in five. He emphasized that women are disproportionately impacted, largely due to domestic conflicts and entrenched social inequality. “Women in Pakistan are often deprived of the respect and recognition they deserve, leading to heightened levels of depression and anxiety,” he noted.

“Young people today feel hopeless and uncertain about their future, exacerbated by economic instability and recurring natural disasters.”

Professor Wajid Ali Akhundzada, President of the Pakistan Psychiatric Society, added that one in four young people and one in five children in the country are suffering from psychological illness. He estimated that around 2.5 million people are affected by severe mental health conditions, frequently linked to economic hardship, political instability, and disaster-related trauma. Furthermore, he revealed that 10 percent of Pakistanis struggle with drug addiction, with approximately 1,000 individuals taking their own lives last year due to severe mental distress.

Experts at the conference warned that the country faces a deplorable shortage of mental health professionals. With a population exceeding 240 million, Pakistan has only 90 qualified psychiatrists. The World Health Organization recommends one psychiatrist per 10,000 people, meaning Pakistan currently has roughly one psychiatrist for every 550,000 patients—a ratio widely described as grossly inadequate.

The experts urgently called upon the government to adopt a comprehensive national mental health strategy. They also drew attention to environmental degradation, noting that Pakistan’s tree cover stands at a mere four percent, which further exacerbates climate change-related anxiety and stress among the populace.

Note: For official statements and real-time updates regarding this developing public health situation, readers are directed to the original Express Tribune report, as direct social media embeds from regional health departments are subject to platform-specific rendering constraints and verification delays.