{
  "id": 15349442,
  "title": "One in three adults in Pakistan lives with psychological disorder: study",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/one-in-three-adults-in-pakistan-lives-with-psychological-disorder-15349442",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T03:59:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn",
    "slug": "dawn",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2037942/one-in-three-adults-in-pakistan-lives-with-psychological-disorder-study"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Pakistan's first nationwide mental health study has revealed that nearly one-third of adults in the country are living with a diagnosable mental illness, posing a significant public health concern. Led by Professor Raza-ur-Rahman from Hamdard University in Karachi, the five-year survey involved 18,000 participants from all four provinces and was published in the British Medical Journal. The findings show that 32% of adults currently have a mental or behavioral disorder, while 38% experienced such conditions at some point in their lives. One in five adults met the criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with over 10% reporting depression and 6% experiencing suicidal thoughts in the previous month. The study also highlighted social inequalities in mental health, with higher rates among older adults, those with lower education and income levels, the unemployed, and widowed, divorced, or separated individuals. Mental health problems were found to severely impact family life, social relationships, and work abilities. Prof Raza-ur-Rahman emphasized that the survey provides crucial data to develop effective mental health policies and services, addressing the unmet need for care and reducing stigma. Experts believe this landmark study will serve as a valuable resource for policymakers, healthcare planners, and researchers worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries facing similar mental health challenges.",
  "summary": "KARACHI: Pakistan’s first nationally representative mental health survey has shown that nearly one in three adults is living with a diagnosable mental and behavioural disorder, highlighting a major public health challenge affecting millions of people across the country. The findings come from the largest and most comprehensive mental health study ever conducted in Pakistan, say researchers…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn - Pakistan",
        "title": "One in three adults in Pakistan lives with psychological disorder: study",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/one-in-three-adults-in-pakistan-lives-with-psychological-disorder",
        "published": "2026-10-18T03:59:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}