# One in three adults in Pakistan has a mental health disorder, 18,000-person study in BMJ finds

Source: Searchable (https://searchable.pk/news/health/one-in-three-adults-in-pakistan-has-a-mental-health-disorder-18000-person-study)
Type: News article
Author: Searchable Editorial
Published: 21 Oct 2026
Updated: 21 Oct 2026
Retrieved: 25 Oct 2026

> The largest survey of its kind, run with the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, puts PTSD and depression far higher than most people assume.

**About one in three adults in Pakistan, 32%, currently has a mental or behavioural disorder**, according to a national study of nearly **18,000 adults** from all four provinces, published in the British Medical Journal and [reported by Dawn](https://www.dawn.com/news/2037942/one-in-three-adults-in-pakistan-lives-with-psychological-disorder-study).

The five-year project (2018 to 2022) was led by **Prof Raza-ur-Rahman**, head of psychiatry at Hamdard University, Karachi, with **Prof Anjum Memon** of Brighton and Sussex Medical School as senior co-author, on behalf of the Pakistan Psychiatric Society. The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics chose the survey areas and set the sample, so the results reflect the country, not just hospital patients.

## The key numbers

| Finding | Share of adults |
|---|---|
| A mental or behavioural disorder now | 32% |
| A disorder at some point in life | 38% |
| Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) | About 1 in 5 |
| Depression | More than 1 in 10 |
| Suicidal thoughts in the past month | 6% |

## Who is most affected

Rates were higher among:

- older adults
- people with less education and lower incomes
- the unemployed
- people who are widowed, divorced or separated

The researchers found these conditions were linked to real damage to family life, relationships and work.

## What the doctors want

The study calls for mental health care to be built into **primary health care**, so a basic health unit or family doctor can spot and treat common conditions; more **community-based support**; better **training for frontline health workers**; and a sustained national effort against **stigma**. Pakistan Psychiatric Society president Prof Wajid Akhundzada pointed to the shortage of specialist services and trained professionals.

## What you can do

- Common conditions such as depression and anxiety are treatable, and a GP is a reasonable first stop.
- Psychiatry departments in public teaching hospitals in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar and Quetta see patients through their outpatient departments. Find one near you in our [hospitals directory](/businesses/hospitals).
- If you or someone close to you is struggling, talk to a doctor or someone you trust. Help works best early.

The study adds to recent health reporting on our [health desk](/news/health).

## Frequently asked questions

**How common are mental health disorders in Pakistan?**

A national study of nearly 18,000 adults, published in the BMJ, found 32% of adults currently have a mental or behavioural disorder and 38% have had one in their lifetime.

## Sources

- One in three adults in Pakistan lives with psychological disorder: study (18 Oct 2026) (Dawn): https://www.dawn.com/news/2037942/one-in-three-adults-in-pakistan-lives-with-psychological-disorder-study

How to cite: "One in three adults in Pakistan has a mental health disorder, 18,000-person study in BMJ finds", Searchable, 21 Oct 2026, https://searchable.pk/news/health/one-in-three-adults-in-pakistan-has-a-mental-health-disorder-18000-person-study