Shocking survey - 80% of population suffer from mental illness

By William Smith

It would be hard to imagine living in an area where 80% of the population suffers from mental illness but this is reality for the people of Waziristan according to a survey conducted by an NGO, Horizon. (Non-Governmental Organisation)

An area of Pakistan, Waziristan, has been hit by drone attacks by US spy planes and acts of terrorism which have affected the mental health of tribesmen and also the people of settled areas.

This survey was conducted under the supervision of Dr Khalid Mufti, a noted psychologist. He noted that seven to nine per cent of children became victims of phobia owing to the consistent television broadcasting of terrorism related scenes by TV channels.

Other reported causes for this unacceptably high level of mental disorder are skyrocketing price rises, energy crisis, lawlessness and untidiness.

Dr Mufti said that it would be very difficult to save the future of the youth if the existing situation remained unchanged. He urged television channels to avoid the broadcast of terrorism footage to improve the mental health of people and children exposed to phobia and other disorders.

Over the last ten years the youth of Waziristan have been confronted with mental and economic pressure while children and women were exposed to depression owing to the uncertain situation, Dr Mufti said.

Narcotics have also become an ever increasing problem because of the economic disparity, torture and domestic disputes, he said.

‘These problems need to be addressed for the survival of our young generation and to improve the lifestyle of the people.’ he added.

Dr Mufti appealed for the people to work for the establishment of a peaceful society to get rid of mental worries, problems and the use of drugs. ‘For this purpose every segment of society has to play a positive and constructive role’ he concluded.

These statistics show us the implications of what our children watch on the television, the knock-on effect of living in poverty and exposure to violence. These are lessons that can be learnt across the world and not just in far off, little known regions of the world.

Waziristan is a mountainous region of northwest Pakistan bordering on Afghanistan.