20 million Pakistanis suffer from mental health issues, say experts

ISLAMABADa: More than 20 million people in Pakistan making 10 percent of the total population suffer from brain and neurological problems and disorders, experts said at a ceremony on Saturday.
“But despite the alarming number mental health remains the most neglected field in the country,” said Aslam Shaikh, Country Manager for Lundbeck, addressing a ceremony organised by the Embassy of Denmark to mark 100th anniversary of the Lundbeck Institute.
“These figures indicate the need to promote more public awareness for improved diagnosis and effective mental health treatments in Pakistan,” he said. “In Pakistan, it is very unfortunate that due to shortage of mental health professionals, mental health facilities and relatively low levels of awareness about mental disorders, millions of people and their families suffer every day.”
In countries where people are facing social and security challenges such as in Pakistan, he said, one saw an increase in anxiety, stress, and trauma, which were contributing factors to the development of mental health issues.
Lundbeck established the institute in 1997 to help reduce global burden of brain disease by educating healthcare professionals worldwide. They were also working with mental health professionals in Pakistan to raise awareness, reduce stigma and contribute to education and better understanding of brain disease in Pakistan.
Shaikh thanked the Embassy of Denmark for hosting Lundbeck’s 100th anniversary and using the event to create a platform to promote awareness about mental health, the socio-economic costs of brain diseases and the importance of proper mental health treatment in Pakistan.
Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Helle Nielsen, Charge d’Affaires of Danish Embassy said Denmark was proud to be celebrating a prominent Danish company’s 100th anniversary in Pakistan.
“Lundbeck is an excellent example of a company that provides sophisticated pharmaceutical remedies to people all over the world, including in Pakistan. Even today, 100 years later, Lundbeck continues to develop products that help patients and societal progression. For any company, the ability to stay relevant and provide value to customers for a century is an extraordinary accomplishment.”
Eminent Psychiatrist Prof. Fareed Aslam Minhas, Head of The Institute of Psychiatry, WHO Collaborating Centre for Mental Health Training and Research, Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi, in his remarks said there was need for collaborative efforts to reduce stigma of mental health in the society. “There is need for integration of health professionals, industry and policy makers to devise a strategy for better mental health in Pakistan,” said Minhas.
The event was well attended by prominent psychiatrics, doctors, health officials and other key stakeholders.
Lundbeck, a Danish company is the only pharmaceutical company in the world dedicated and entirely focused on research within neuroscience and development and marketing of treatments for brain disease. It is world-wide recognised for having helped hundreds of millions of people suffering from brain disease, such as depression, alcohol dependence, schizophrenia, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease. It has been operational in Pakistan over the past 30 years.