Effect of present conflicted situation in Pakistan on Mental Health of Pakistani population: Time for immediate actions

Abstract

Pakistan is in state of war since many years. This conflict situation has greatly affected mental health of Pakistani people. One percent of the Pakistani population is suffering from severe mental disorders. Depression rate is between 30 to 50% in Pakistani population 2 . As we discuss the effect of present conflicted situation in Pakistan on mental health of Pakistani population, we assume that the following factors are strongly associated with marked increase in mental illnesses in Pakistan: Shortage of Psychiatric and Psychologist professionals: Unfortunately, Pakistan is one of the countries which have limited numbers of professionals in psychiatry and psychology fields. In 2001, according to WHO, there were only 320 psychiatrists based in major urban centers of