The World Health Organisation has issued a report which indicates an alarming increase in the number of people suffering from depression and anxiety that interferes in their lives and reduces work efficiency.
This was stated by Professor I.A.K. Tareen, President, Mental Health Foundation of Pakistan while talking to a group of physicians in a meeting here Sunday. He said there was also an increasing tendency, especially among youngsters, towards self-harm and abuse of drugs and alcohol, which is a matter of concern for all health professionals who are responsible for mental health care in the country.
According to Professor Tareen, there is high prevalence of mental illness and it is important to understand that mental illness is like any other physical illness caused by biochemical changes and an appropriate treatment is extremely important for a person to live a normal and productive life.
He said that poverty and unemployment in the country has made health care out of reach of common man and keeping this in mind Mental Health Federation of Pakistan is organising a camp for free treatment of poor patients on Thursday, April 10, from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm at 6-B-I Bolck-H Gulberg-II, near Sherpao Bridge, where specialists will provide free medicine and counselling to the poor mentally ill patients.