5 Alarming Mental Health Statistics From Pakistan You Did Not Know About

World Mental Health Day is observed on 10 October every year. This year’s theme is “suicide prevention.” This is in light of the fact that in the past few decades, the suicide rate has reached alarming statistical levels due to global changes revolving around socioeconomic inequality, climate change, conflict etc.

Studies show that suicide rate is higher in low and middle-income countries. It is the second leading cause of death among young people aged 15-29 years.

Read: Rising Rate of Suicide Attempts in Lahore: Let’s Talk About Mental Health In Pakistan

In the Pakistani society, there is still a stigma attached to mental illnesses and the number of psychiatrists and counselors remain at an abysmal number, which worsens the overall situation.

Read: 3 Things To Do When You Don’t Feel Like Doing Anything!

Also, the country has seen extremely hard times marred by terrorism, political violence, economic instability, natural disasters etc. in the last two decades. All these factors have a direct relationship with the Pakistan’s worsening mental health indicators.

5 Mental Health Statistics related to Pakistan

1. According to Pakistan Association of Mental Health, more than 34% of Pakistan’s population is affected by mental illness

2. 13,000 people commit suicide every year in Pakistan

Read: 5 Symptoms of Depression and How to Deal With Them

3. Between 15 to 35 people end their lives in Pakistan every day.

That’s as high as one person every hour!

4. According to World Health Organization (WHO), Pakistan only has 0.19 psychiatrists per 100,000 inhabitants, one of the lowest numbers in the whole world.

5. Mental disorders cost Pakistan up to Rs. 250bn per year.