ISLAMABAD: International Mental Health Day will be observed across the country on Saturday.

According to the research done by the World Health Organisation, one out of 10 children and those in the age group of five to 16 years suffer from a diagnosable mental health disorder.

Mental health problems among majority of patients are diagnosed in childhood but less than half are treated appropriately whereas the rest suffer from severe depression and ultimately ruin their life.

Professor Rizwan Taj, the chairman, Department of Psychiatry, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), while talking to Dawn, said the major issue in the country was that a large number of people did not take depression and other mental problems as a disease.

“As a result, their problem becomes complicated and sometimes it becomes untreatable. There is a need to create awareness among the people,” he said.

While replying to a question, Dr Taj said people should adopt a simple lifestyle and live within their means.

“Deprivation is a major source of mental stress so people should not compare their life with those who can afford luxuries of life,” he added.

According to the World Federation for Mental Health, the dignity of mentally disturbed people should be ensured and they should be provided proper care.