About 60 percent of Pakistanis experienced moderate to high levels of mental health issues while eight in 10 individuals showed some symptoms of mental illness during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a global research firm, IPSOS, which recently carried out a study for an organization affiliated with the Pakistan Mental Health Coalition. The organization says confinement, financial distress and job losses raised stress levels.
According to the study, 44 percent people either lashed out at others or indulged in substance abuse as a coping mechanism whilst 26 percent engaged in self-harm. The survey described economic downturn as a major reason for stress since 72 percent of the respondents complained of anxiety and depression due to the financial challenges caused by COVID-19. Among those who participated in the survey, 67 percent said that government statements and media messages increased their stress level.
According to the World Health Organization, mental disorders account for more than four percent of the total disease burden in Pakistan and approximately 24 million people in the country need psychiatric assistance. The WHO also maintains that Pakistan only has 0.19 psychiatrists per 100,000 inhabitants, which is among the lowest across the world.
Source: Arab News PK
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