What happened

According to Dawn, Pakistan's inaugural nationally representative mental health survey revealed that nearly one in three adults in the country lives with a diagnosable mental or behavioural condition. The five-year study, covering 2018 to 2022 and published in the British Medical Journal, was directed by Professor Raza-ur-Rahman of Hamdard University in Karachi. The research was carried out in collaboration with the Pakistan Psychiatric Society, Brighton and Sussex Medical School in the UK, the University of South Florida in the US, and multiple domestic psychiatric institutions.

Key facts

According to the survey details published by Dawn:

  • Nearly 18,000 adult participants were surveyed across all four provinces in Pakistan.
  • The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics provided the sample size and selected survey areas utilizing international standard tools.
  • Thirty-two percent of adults currently suffer from a behavioural or mental disorder, while 38 percent have experienced one at some point in their life.
  • One in five adults met the diagnostic criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
  • Over 10 percent of adults had depression, and six percent reported suicidal thoughts during the previous month.
  • Higher disorder rates were linked to social inequalities, affecting older adults, lower-income or less-educated individuals, unemployed people, and those who were widowed, divorced, or separated.
  • Specific timeline targets for new legislation are not specified in the source; please check the official notice.

Why it matters

As reported by Dawn, the study offers the first robust national evidence base for healthcare planners and policymakers in Pakistan, where mental health care currently suffers from limited specialist facilities and a lack of qualified professionals. Researchers note that the findings will help direct funding, create evidence-based programs, and reduce public stigma around mental illness. Experts advise integrating mental health care into primary medical services, increasing training for frontline workers, and strengthening community-based support systems.

📰 Read the Original Report

Source: Dawn - Home · Published October 18, 2026 · Photo by nouman makhdoom on Unsplash