LAHORE, July 29: The World Health Organization has issued a report which indicates an alarming increase in the number of people suffering from depression and anxiety that interfere in their lives and reduce work efficiency.

This was stated by Mental Health Federation of Pakistan President Prof I.A.K. Tareen while talking to reporters here on Friday. He said the fact revealed in the report should be a matter of concern for all health professionals and policy-makers, who were responsible for mental health care in the country.

He said mental illness required prompt treatment as any other physical illness. There was also an increasing tendency, especially among youngsters, towards self-harm which could take the form of over dosages or inflicting injuries on themselves, he said.

Prof Tareen said the increase in the number of depression and anxiety patients suggested that people were living in a society where it seemed difficult to be heard and where emotional turmoil was so uncared for by busy families, friends, colleagues and even doctors that we need to translate it into physical symptoms before it will even begin to be noticed.

“A bleeding finger draws more immediate attention than a bleeding heart,” Prof Tareen remarked.

He said health care, particularly for mentally retarded or ill people, was a low priority in the health delivery system and specialist care remained out of reach of a majority of patients because of poverty and financial constraints.

Prof Tareen said the MHFP would be organizing a camp for the free treatment of poor patients on Saturday (today) from 9am to 1pm at 6-B-I, Gulberg-II, near Sherpao Bridge.