PESHAWAR: Health experts have shown concerns over increasing incidence of mental health disorder in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Addressing a press conference at Peshawar Press Club in connection with World Mental Health Day on Wednesday, Prof Syed Mohammad Sultan stressed the need for implementation of Mental Health Act in letter and spirit to cope with the prevailing situation.

Prof Sultan, the chairman of psychiatry department at Khyber Teaching Hospital, said that cases of mental health disorder had increased in the country in general and in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in particular.

He demanded of the authorities to increase budget and recruit specialised work force besides creating proper awareness among people about the disease to overcome the alarming situation.

He cited gender disparities, economic, emotional and social injustices and lack of access to health and education facilities as main causes of mental health disorder in the country.

Flanked by Dr Imran Khan, Dr Mohammad Aziz and Dr Saira Gul, Prof Sultan said that prevalence of anxiety and depression was 34 per cent in general population with dementia, schizophrenia and mania as main problems.

He said that people should change attitude towards mental illness and the taboos associated with it.

He said that patients of mental disorder should be allowed to consult doctors freely.

The expert said that causative agents for mental illness could be genetic and biological that could be linked to behaviour of people towards crimes like honour killing.

He said that efforts for peace served as shield against mental ailments.

He said that healthy interaction and good environment led to peace of mind while abuses, bias, prejudices, discrimination, disasters and negative attitudes increased psychiatric disorders.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Imran Khan said that promotion of peace could be achieved when policymakers made programme for welfare of the disadvantaged people.

He said that awareness at community level could help to overcome mental disorders.

“Economic stability and peace in the neighbourhoods and affordability to purchase services keep people away from mental problems,” he added.

Dr Aziz Mohammad said that a multi-pronged strategy, involving psychiatrists, clinical psychologists and enhancement of funds for medicines for mental patients were required to safeguard people from poor-specific ailments.

Published in Dawn, October 19th, 2017