Mental Health Cases Exceed 32 Million in Pakistan; Just One Psychologist Available for Every 245,400 People.

ISLAMABAD: According to figures presented by the Ministry of Health in the National Assembly, the number of people suffering from mental health disorders in Pakistan has exceeded 32.04 million, while the country has only 1,050 registered psychologists. This means that there is just one psychologist available for every 245,400 people, highlighting a significant gap in access to mental healthcare services. According to the ministry, around 300,000 people in Islamabad were recorded as suffering from mental health disorders up to 2023. The provincial distribution shows that Punjab has 406 registered psychologists, Sindh 228, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 122 and Balochistan 44. The Ministry of Health also informed the National Assembly that the reported number of AIDS patients across the country stands at 3,900. Of these, 1,915 cases were reported in Sindh, 1,765 in Punjab, 139 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 46 in Balochistan, 30 in Islamabad, four in Azad Kashmir and one in Gilgit-Baltistan. The figures highlight the need for greater attention to mental healthcare facilities, the availability of qualified professionals and access to treatment across the country.