COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND MENTAL HEALTH IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Mental Health problems and illnesses have accelerated at an alarming rate due to COVID-19 pandemic worldwide as well as in Pakistan with the potential of worsening due to crucial mismatch of available resources and burden of disease. Pakistan is the world’s fifth most populous country with an estimated population of 220 million as of 20201. With an increase in societal awareness and much needed de-stigmatization in recent years, increasing numbers of people are seeking help for common mental illnesses and the few studies that have been done in Pakistan have documented a much higher prevalence of mental health issues in Pakistan compared to Western countries. There are an estimated six million drug addicts in the country. Serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia are estimated to have a prevalence rate of 1.5% in the population2. Child mental health problems also are common with a mean prevalence of 15%3.