Institute of Health & Management Sciences, Islamabad conducted a workshop on "Depression: Let's Talk" on April 22, 2017 in collaboration with the World Health Organization. The primary objective of the workshop was to sensitize the audience in general regarding depression, the magnitude of the problem, its prevention and various models of treatment. The resource persons for the workshop were Dr. Waqar Hussain Sukoon (Clinical Psychologist) and Mr. Shahzad Alam Khan (National Professional Officer for NCDs, WHO).
During the workshop, it was mentioned that as many as 24 million people in Pakistan are in dire need of psychiatric/psychological health. It was also revealed that around 14,000 people commit suicide in Pakistan due to depression and associated factors, which is an extremely alarming figure. Dr. Sukoon during his presentation mentioned that according to one research study, as many as 38% Pakistanis could have symptoms of any of the depressive disorders.
Mr. Shahzad Alam during his address stated that there is a severe shortage of clinical psychologists in the country. Mr. Alam emphasized that the current psychiatric/psychological problems of the country cannot be resolved unless and until we have enough trained manpower in this field. The Chairman of the Institute, Dr. Muhammad Usman Khan stated in his address stated that the Institute has been striving very hard to promote the field of Public Health in the country. He also mentioned that the Institute will keep on conducting such workshops in future so that the people can be made aware regarding these health related issues of prime significance.
