Mental Health in Pakistan: 5 Problems Nobody Talks About
In Pakistan, we talk about inflation.
We talk about politics.
We talk about everything, except what’s happening inside our heads.
Mental health issues don’t usually scream here.
They whisper.
And because they don’t look dramatic, we ignore them until they quietly shape our lives, relationships, and futures.
Pakistan has a growing mental health crisis with an estimated 50 million people experiencing mental health issues but unable to access support due to stigma, awareness and lack of services. To address this critical need, we have been working to improve the lives of people with mental health issues in Pakistan for over a decade to not only help those in need, but to fundamentally change the mental health landscape.
https://www.britishasiantrust.org/our-work/mental-health/mental-health-in-pakistan/
The latest available statistics show how mental health problems in Pakistan have grown over the past three years, compared with a broader five-year perspective.
Insights
“Recent studies estimate that between one-quarter and one-third of Pakistan’s population experiences mental health challenges , a steep rise compared with before 2020 when data suggested around 20–25 % prevalence. In 2025 alone, roughly 1,000 suicide deaths were linked to emotional distress, underscoring the growing mental health burden.” (ایکسپریس اردو)
Key Mental Health Statistics in Pakistan (Recent Years)
1. Prevalence of Mental Health Issues in 2025
Recent conference data from late 2025 shows that about 34 % of Pakistan’s population now experiences some form of mental health disorder.
This includes anxiety, depression, and related conditions, figures that are significantly higher than global averages (about 20 % in many countries) and indicate rising mental health struggles across age groups. (ایکسپریس اردو)
In simple terms: 1 in every 3 Pakistanis now shows signs of poor mental wellbeing , a steep increase from earlier estimates.
Also in 2025, nearly 1,000 suicide deaths linked to emotional distress were reported, highlighting a crisis in mental health outcomes. (ایکسپریس اردو)
2. Broad National Estimates
Another major estimate from 2025 reports that about 24 % of Pakistan’s population, roughly 57 million people, are living with diagnosable mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and stress-related disorders. (UrduPoint)
This statistic alone reflects a dramatic expansion of mental health concerns compared with previously reported figures (see below).
Five-Year Trend (2019–2025)
There are limitations in long-term data continuity for Pakistan, but several credible indicators point to a sharp upward trend over the past five years:
Pre-COVID & Early Data
Previous expert assessments (before 2020) estimated that around 20–25 % of the population suffered from some mental health issue, already above world averages. (Reddit)
This included anxiety, depression, and underlying emotional distress — but without an extensive formal reporting infrastructure.
Post-2020 (Pandemic Era)
Multiple reports after 2020–2021 indicated substantial increases in stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms linked to:
- pandemic impacts
- lockdowns
- economic downturn
- disruption of social life
Though exact national prevalence data were not widely published, expert commentary and facility reporting confirmed a noticeable escalation in mental health burdens. (Dawn News)
2023–2025: Sharp Focus
From 2023 onward, data show:
✔ Around 40 % of Pakistanis reported some form of mental health trouble in 2023 — including anxiety and depressive symptoms. (AAJ News)
✔ By 2025, estimates cluster around 24–34 % depending on the reporting source and definition of “mental health condition.” (UrduPoint)
✔ Suicide figures linked to mental distress remain elevated, particularly among youth. (ایکسپریس اردو)
This pattern suggests an increasing public health challenge over the last 3–5 years, with prevalence remaining high or rising and improved detection/awareness contributing to larger reported numbers.
Contextual Factors Contributing to Trends
These rising numbers can be linked to several real-world stressors that have intensified in recent years:
Economic pressures and inflation
Ongoing financial strain increases anxiety and stress across households.
Natural disasters and trauma
Recent floods and climate events have contributed to trauma, PTSD, and chronic stress in affected regions. (The Guardian)
Social pressures and rapid change
Urbanisation, social media exposure, and changing societal roles impact emotional well-being.
Limited mental health resources
Pakistan has fewer than 500 psychiatrists for ~240 million people, with most concentrated in big cities — leaving rural and underserved communities with little care. (Dawn News)
The real mental health crisis in Pakistan isn’t just about hospitals or diagnoses.
It’s about problems we’ve normalised for so long that we don’t even see them as problems anymore.
Here are five mental health issues in Pakistan that almost nobody talks about, but millions live with every day.
1. Emotional Suppression Disguised as “Strength”
From a young age, many Pakistanis are taught one lesson very well:
“خاموش رہو، مضبوط بنو، صبر کرو”
Crying is a weakness.
Talking about feelings is drama.
Asking for help is a shame.
So what do people do?
They suppress.
Men suppress fear, sadness, and vulnerability.
Women suppress anger, exhaustion, and resentment.
Children suppress confusion and anxiety.
But suppressed emotions don’t disappear.
They turn into:
- Irritability
- Emotional numbness
- Sudden anger
- Chronic sadness
- Physical pain without a clear cause
What we call “sab theek hai” often hides deep emotional exhaustion.
2. Mental Health Linked Only to “Madness”
In many Pakistani households, mental health is discussed only at the end.
If someone hears voices, they’re “pagal.”
If someone can’t get out of bed, they’re “kamzor.”
If someone is anxious, they’re “overthinking.”
There’s little understanding of:
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression
- Trauma
- Burnout
- Emotional exhaustion
This black-and-white thinking delays help.
People wait until things collapse, because anything before that doesn’t feel “serious enough.”
By the time help is sought, the suffering has already multiplied.
3. Financial Stress as a Silent Mental Health Trigger
Money stress in Pakistan isn’t just about luxury.
It’s about survival.
School fees.
Medical bills.
Rent.
Family expectations.
Constant financial pressure keeps the nervous system in a state of fight-or-flight mode.
Effects include:
- Chronic anxiety
- Sleep disturbances
- Irritability
- Feelings of failure
- Emotional withdrawal
Yet this stress is rarely recognised as a mental health issue.
It’s treated as “normal life.”
But living in constant survival mode slowly exhausts the mind.
4. Women’s Mental Health Buried Under Responsibility
Pakistani women carry invisible emotional loads.
Managing homes.
Raising children.
Maintaining relationships.
Supporting extended families.
All while being expected to remain patient, grateful, and silent.
Common but ignored struggles include:
- Emotional burnout
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Loss of identity
- Chronic fatigue
When women express distress, they’re often told:
“یہ سب عورتوں کے ساتھ ہوتا ہے”
Normalisation does not mean harmless.
It means unaddressed.
5. Children and Teenagers Growing Up Emotionally Unheard
Children in Pakistan are often fed, clothed, and educated, but emotionally ignored.
Academic pressure.
Comparison.
Strict discipline.
Limited emotional expression.
Mental health issues in children often show up as:
- Anger
- Withdrawal
- Poor focus
- Screen addiction
- Low self-esteem
Instead of asking “what is this child feeling?”,
We ask, “What is wrong with this child?”
By the time they grow up, many adults don’t even have the language to describe their emotions.
Why These Problems Stay Hidden
These mental health challenges remain invisible because:
- Silence is rewarded
- Emotional expression is discouraged
- Mental health education is limited
- Seeking help is stigmatised
- Suffering is spiritualized instead of supported
Faith and patience are powerful — but they are not replacements for emotional care.
What Can Actually Help (Realistic, Local, Practical)
Mental health support doesn’t always begin with therapy.
It begins with awareness and small shifts.
- Normalising conversations about emotions
- Teaching children emotional language
- Allowing men to express vulnerability
- Acknowledging women’s emotional labour
- Recognising stress before it becomes illness
Even simple habits help:
- Quiet time
- Journaling
- Reduced screen exposure
- Community support
- Safe conversations
Mental health improves when people feel heard, not judged.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is mental health really a big issue in Pakistan?
Yes. It is widespread but underreported due to stigma.
Is faith enough to handle mental health problems?
Faith can support healing, but professional and emotional care are also essential.
Are mental health services accessible in Pakistan?
They are limited, but awareness and community support can bridge some gaps.
Can small changes really make a difference?
Yes. Prevention and early support reduce long-term suffering.
Final Thought
The biggest mental health problem in Pakistan isn’t weakness.
It’s silence.
A society that teaches people to endure everything quietly
will eventually raise generations who don’t know how to heal.
Talking about mental health won’t make us weaker.
It will make us human.
And maybe, finally, a little lighter.
References
- World Health Organization (WHO). Mental health atlas – Pakistan
- Mirza, I., & Jenkins, R. (2004). Risk factors, prevalence, and treatment of anxiety and depressive disorders in Pakistan.
- Khan, M. S., et al. (2019). Mental health challenges in Pakistan.
- Patel, V., et al. (2018). Global mental health and low-income countries.
- UNICEF Pakistan. Child and adolescent mental health overview
