Pakistan’s first nationally representative mental health survey has found that 32 per cent of adults are currently living with diagnosable mental and behavioural disorders, while 38 per cent have experienced a disorder at some point in their lives. The findings highlight the scale of mental health challenges across the country and the need for improved diagnosis, treatment and support services.
The five-year study, conducted between 2018 and 2022, involved nearly 18,000 adults from all four provinces. Published in the British Medical Journal, the research was led by Professor Raza-ur-Rahman of Hamdard University, Karachi, in collaboration with Brighton and Sussex Medical School in the United Kingdom, the University of South Florida in the United States and psychiatric institutions across Pakistan. Researchers from the Pakistan Psychiatric Society described it as the most comprehensive national mental health study conducted in the country.
According to the survey, approximately one in five adults met the criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), while more than one in 10 experienced depression. Six per cent of participants reported having suicidal thoughts during the month before the survey. Researchers also found that mental health conditions were associated with difficulties in family life, social relationships and the ability to work.
The findings highlighted differences in mental health outcomes across social and economic groups. Higher rates of mental disorders were identified among older adults, people with lower educational attainment or income, unemployed individuals, and those who were widowed, divorced or separated. Researchers said the results provide important evidence about which groups may need greater access to mental health services and support.
Lead investigator Professor Raza-ur-Rahman said the survey used internationally recognised assessment tools, while the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics helped identify survey areas and determine the sample size. He said the national data could help policymakers develop evidence-based mental health policies, allocate resources more effectively and improve access to diagnosis and treatment. Researchers also hope the findings will contribute to reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness.
Professor Anjum Memon, a senior co-author and Chair in Epidemiology and Public Health Medicine at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, described the research as a landmark development. He noted that policymakers had previously relied on fragmented local studies and international estimates to understand mental health needs in Pakistan. The national survey provides a broader evidence base for healthcare planning in Pakistan and potentially other low- and middle-income countries facing similar challenges.
Pakistan continues to face difficulties in providing mental healthcare, including limited specialist services and a shortage of trained professionals. Pakistan Psychiatric Society President Professor Wajid Akhundzada said the findings could help guide future policy, workforce training, service planning and community-based support programmes. Researchers have recommended integrating mental health services into primary healthcare, investing in community support systems, training frontline health workers and sustaining public awareness efforts to reduce stigma.
Pakistan Mental Health Survey Finds 32% of Adults Living With Psychological Disorders
