ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Health Services ministry on Tuesday revealed that approximately 80 million Pakistanis are grappling with various mental health issues.
The report, submitted to Parliament, attributes these widespread mental health challenges to factors such as inflation, unemployment, and economic instability. Both men and women are affected, but men are experiencing mental health issues at a higher rate than women. This crisis spans across different groups, including employees, businesspeople, and the unemployed.
Rizwan Taj, the ministry’s focal person, commented, “The current economic difficulties are disrupting family systems, which in turn contribute to heightened anxiety and depression.”
Medical experts have also noted that the ongoing violence against Palestinians by Israel could be exacerbating mental health problems in Pakistan. They argue that economic disparities and a weakening belief system are contributing to the prevalence of mental health issues among women in the country.
Furthermore, the country’s youth are particularly vulnerable, facing significant levels of depression due to job scarcity and unemployment.
