Karachi: Medical experts associated with the Brain and Mind Institute at Aga Khan University Hospital have said that economic stress, social inequalities, political instability, and insecurity are contributing to the growing prevalence of mental health disorders among citizens.
Implementation Scientist Falak Madhani and Dr. Fauzia Rabbani of the institute said that due to financial difficulties and instability, educated individuals, workers, and scholars are increasingly migrating abroad. Over the past four decades, more than one million laborers have left Pakistan because of economic hardships.
Speaking to media persons, they stated that 25% of people under economic pressure and stress experience anxiety and depression, while 2% show dangerous tendencies of self-harm or harming others.
Experts added that individuals suffering from long-term physical illnesses are also developing psychological disorders; however, early diagnosis and timely treatment can help control these issues.
Dr. Fauzia Rabbani noted that because of economic stress, political uncertainty, and social challenges, 30% of elderly people, 15% of youth, 20% of adolescents, and 30% of pregnant women suffer from mental stress and perinatal disorders.
She emphasized that people aged 65 years and above face unique psychological challenges that require focused attention.
Falak Madhani said that mental health is still considered a social stigma in Pakistan, which is why people hesitate to seek professional help.
She pointed out that rural areas lack mental health facilities, making it essential to train lady health workers and medical officers to provide basic mental health support at the community level.
The experts advised parents that if a child’s eating habits change, they start sleeping excessively, stop bathing or changing clothes, and begin avoiding social interaction, they should immediately consult a psychologist for timely intervention.
Both experts further highlighted that migration often becomes a coping strategy amid economic hardships, unemployment, and climate crises such as the 2022 floods, which displaced over 33 million people in Pakistan.
They said that in the past four decades, more than 10 million Pakistanis—mostly from rural Sindh and Punjab—have migrated to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. While remittances from these workers, averaging around USD 1.2 billion per month, support Pakistan’s economy, nearly 70% of returning migrants suffer from mental distress.
The experts explained that migrant workers endure intense heat, long working hours, and overcrowded living conditions, which severely impact their mental well-being. Despite carrying the financial expectations of their families, these workers often lack access to mental health screenings before departure, during employment, or after returning home.
They also shared that in 2021, more than 84% of deaths among people aged 10–29 occurred in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)—where most of the world’s population resides.