KARACHI: Participants in a programme held to increase public awareness of mental health issues were informed that the Sindh Mental Health Act needed a few weeks to be fully implemented as its rules and regulations had been finalised and were expected to be signed by the competent authority soon.

This was stated by Dr Haroon Ahmed, a key campaigner for the cause while speaking at the programme titled ‘Living with schizophrenia’ organised by the Mental Health Forum — a conglomerate of several non-governmental organisations.

The programme was organised at the Arts Council and comprised of screening of documentaries, one-act play, introduction to relevant literature and motivational speeches.

Dr Ahmed said depression formed five per cent of the mental health problems, but minor depressions ratio was a staggering up to 40pc.

He said mental problems in the country were getting severe because of exacerbating socioeconomic problems.

Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2014