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Mind Under Siege: The Hidden Epidemic of Mental Illness in Pakistan

  • Writer: RAMEEN FARRUKH
    RAMEEN FARRUKH
  • Feb 21
  • 6 min read

Updated: Mar 7



Imagine waking up every day feeling like a prisoner in your own mind—your thoughts spiralling out of control, your heart heavy with fear, and the weight of loneliness pressing down on you. Now imagine being told that your pain isn’t real, that you should just "pray harder" or "stop overthinking." This is the crushing reality for millions in Pakistan who struggle with depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions, often in silence and shame.

 

Despite the overwhelming prevalence, discussions around mental health remain shrouded in stigma, misinformation, and cultural silence. We openly address illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer—but when was the last time mental health was taken just as seriously? The truth is, Pakistan is grappling with an escalating mental health crisis, and it’s time to break the silence.

 

The World Health Organization (WHO) describes mental health as a condition of well-being where an individual can effectively handle everyday stressors, remain productive, and positively engage with their community. It emphasizes more than just the lack of mental illness—it involves emotional strength, effective stress management, and sustaining a balanced mindset. When mental health is weakened, it can severely disrupt daily functioning, making even routine activities seem overwhelming.

 

Data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 for Pakistan paints a grim picture—mental health issues are not just personal struggles; they are a national crisis. They are silently eroding the well-being of individuals while also draining the country’s health system and economic potential. A key way to measure this impact is through disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), which calculate the years lost due to illness, disability, or premature death.

 

To put it simply, DALYs help us understand how much a disease affects people’s lives—not just in terms of mortality (death) but also by making them unable to live their daily lives fully. In 1999, mental health disorders contributed to a 1% loss in DALYs in Pakistan, meaning people lost years of healthy life due to mental illnesses. By 2009-2019, this number increased by 8%, signalling a concerning rise in mental health problems.


Currently, around 3.1 million years of healthy life have been lost due to mental disorders in Pakistan, with the most common conditions being depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, and schizophrenia. Prevalent cases of mental disorders stand at approximately 25.7 million. Mental disorders are not typically considered a direct cause of death, but they often lead to self-harm and other injuries. In 2019, more than 85,000 deaths in Pakistan were attributed to injuries, with one-third of these being a result of self-harm. These figures highlight the devastating impact of untreated mental health conditions.


Image Credit: "Assembly Malala Fund" by Maliha Abidi
Image Credit: "Assembly Malala Fund" by Maliha Abidi

A major challenge to mental health care in Pakistan is the deep rooted cultural stigma. Many perceive seeking professional help for mental health problems as a sign of personal failure, often causing embarrassment for both the individual and their family. In Pakistan, mental illness is frequently misinterpreted and associated with supernatural explanations, such as possession by spirits (‘jinns’), witchcraft, or black magic (‘kaala jaadu’).


Consequently, people often rely on traditional healers or spiritual remedies, which typically fail to tackle the core psychological issues. Common practices include the recitation of Quranic verses, using protective charms like "taweez," or seeking guidance from religious figures. While these approaches may offer comfort to some, it is vital to educate individuals about the value of professional mental health support. The stigma is so deeply rooted that families often hide mental health conditions to prevent their loved ones from being stigmatized as “insane” or “fragile.”

 

This culture of silence and shame perpetuates the cycle of untreated mental illness, leaving countless individuals to suffer in isolation. Compounding this issue, Pakistan faces a severe shortage of mental health professionals. With only 400 psychiatrists and 500 psychologists serving a population of over 240 million, access to care is alarmingly limited, particularly in rural areas where resources are already scarce. This glaring gap leaves millions without the support they desperately need, further deepening the crisis.

 

Pakistan’s mental health crisis is not just a medical issue—it’s a systemic failure. Despite affecting millions, mental health receives only 0.04% of the total health budget, one of the lowest allocations globally. This chronic underfunding limits the availability of mental health services, particularly for low-income individuals who cannot afford private care. 

 

The WHO Mental Health Atlas 2020 highlights the country’s severe infrastructure gaps—only 11 inpatient mental hospitals and 1,200 hospital beds serve the entire population. Community-based services are equally inadequate, with just 578 facilities nationwide, many of which suffer from overcrowding and resource shortages, making it challenging for individuals to access timely and effective care. A fragmented policy approach further weakens the system. Instead of a unified national mental health strategy, efforts remain scattered across province-specific legislation, delaying meaningful reform and leaving mental health care in crisis.

 

Despite these challenges, there are still avenues for individuals seeking mental health support in Pakistan. From helplines and NGOs to online counseling services, various resources are available to help those in need, even as stigma, limited resources, and low awareness continue to pose significant barriers.

 

‘Rozan’ offers a private helpline for vulnerable groups, including women and children facing emotional struggles, violence, or abuse. ‘SehatYab’ provides nationwide online video consultations with psychiatrists, overcoming geographical barriers. ‘Umang’ operates Pakistan’s first 24/7 free mental health helpline, staffed by 200 professionals for crisis intervention. ‘Willing Ways’ specializes in urgent psychiatric care and stabilization. ‘Taskeen’ raises awareness through AI-driven chatbots, distress assessments, and a free helpline. Additionally, ‘Humraaz enables people to connect with trained counselors and access support services without barriers. These organizations are paving the way for a future where mental health is valued as much as physical health, ensuring that everyone can access the care they require.

 

Raising awareness empowers communities to recognize early signs of mental health challenges, offer timely support, and reduce the risk of self-harm or suicide. To dismantle stigma, we must promote education, share real stories of recovery, and push for better access to care. Creating a culture of compassion reassures individuals that they are not alone, their struggles are valid, and help is available. Open conversations and advocacy can turn mental well-being from a taboo into a priority.

 

The journey toward mental health acceptance and awareness is ongoing, but every effort counts. Every conversation we start, every story we share, and every hand we extend brings us closer to a future where no one has to suffer in the shadows.

 

Together, we can take meaningful steps—for ourselves, for those we care about, and for the millions in Pakistan who deserve to live a healthier, happier and more fulfilling life.

 

The time to act is now. Because every mind matters, and every life is worth fighting for!

 

 


 

 

Need Help? Here’s Where to Start:

Share this blog, support mental health organizations, or simply reach out to someone in need. Let’s break the silence and build a future where no one has to suffer in the shadows.


If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, don’t hesitate to reach out. Help is available. And remember—you are not alone!







 



For further reading and references, see the list below:



2 Comments

Guest
Feb 22

A really insightful blog!! So important to speak about mental health.

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RAMEEN FARRUKH
RAMEEN FARRUKH
Feb 22
Replying to

Thankyou! Absolutely, it is high time that we initiate the conversation and break the silence surrounding mental health!

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Image by bharath kumar

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