PESHAWAR
Renowned mental health experts have warned that mental illnesses pose a serious challenge in Pakistan, with nearly 80 million people suffering from various psychological disorders, while depression and anxiety affect 6 to 9 percent of the population.
They were speaking at a one-day Psychological First Aid training workshop organized by Horizon in Peshawar.
Male and female volunteers from flood-affected areas of Bajaur and Buner participated in the training.
The workshop was addressed by prominent psychologists including Professor Dr. Afzal Javed, Professor Dr. Khalid Mufti, Dr. Ali Mufti, and Dr. Aslam Mir.
Speaking on the occasion, Professor Dr. Afzal Javed emphasized that active listening is a core component of Psychological First Aid.
He said that properly trained volunteers can play a vital role in helping affected individuals cope with psychological distress and recover from trauma.
Professor Dr. Khalid Mufti highlighted that mental stress affects a large segment of the population at some stage of life, noting that nearly 34 percent of people experience depression.
He stressed the need for increased awareness and early intervention.
In his detailed lecture, Dr. Ali Mufti said that globally, one person dies by suicide every 40 seconds due to mental illness, underscoring the urgency of timely psychological treatment to prevent such tragedies.
At the conclusion of the workshop, certificates were distributed among the participants, while commemorative shields were presented to Professor Dr. Afzal Javed and Dr. Aslam Mir in recognition of their services in the field of mental health.
