Different Factors Contribute To Growing Incidence Of Mental Health Illnesses

On Wednesday, experts at a seminar in Peshawar raised concerns about the high and growing incidence of mental health illnesses in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. They likewise revealed the different factors that contribute to the situation.

According to Dawn, among the causes of mental health illnesses are emotional, social, and economic injustices; gender disparities; and lack of access to education and health facilities. Experts are currently calling for policies to cope with the situation. Among the suggested solutions are creating geriatric wards to provide the needs of the elderly and building a separate ward for children to give specialized treatment to those suffering from psychiatric problems.

Professor Syed Mohammad Sultan, president of the Pakistan Psychiatry Society, said that fifty percent of the kids in the province have mental health problems. For this reason, he stressed the need for the development of psychiatry sub-specialties.

Furthermore, Prof. Sultan said there are only three child psychiatry departments in Pakistan, which are not enough for numerous children suffering from different psychiatric illnesses. He heads Khyber Teaching Hospital's psychiatry department.

Prof. Sultan also said there is 34 percent prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders among people with mania, schizophrenia, and dementia as main problems. Meanwhile, Dr. Mian Iftikhar Hussain, psychiatrist and HPWS executive director, emphasized the need for people to change their thinking and attitude regarding mental illnesses. He likewise said that patients should have the freedom to consult doctors.

In connection to this, The Guardian reported about the importance of educating oneself about mental health illnesses. Apart from the different factors that contribute to these problems, it is important for everyone to know that mental health is not just about depression and darkness. Stress, panic attacks, and anxiety are only some of the numerous problems affecting the mental health and it is important for each person to know how to properly deal with them.

Mental health has numerous aspects and different factors can contribute to the growing incidence of mental disorders. As of writing, there is a great need to improve the knowledge of most people about it. The aforementioned seminar was held on the occasion of the International Mental Health Day.