Mental Health Federation of Pakistan organised a reception for Prof Tanvir Ahmad Rana, the first Pakistani professor to serve as a professor in Warwick University UK. President Mental Health Federation Prof IAK Tareen hosted the function, while King Edward University Prof of Emeritus Prof Khalida Tareen, visiting consultant psychiatrist from Manchester UK Dr Maqsood Ahmad and others were also present on the occasion.
Prof Tanvir Ahmad Rana said that mental health problems were escalating in Pakistan due to financial crisis in country. People preferred death to life because they were suffering from serious depression and anxiety. He said that crime rates and suicides were also increasing precipitously after the credit crunch. He said government should immediately introduce financial reforms in the country to give relief to the masses. The senior psychiatrist consultant Dr Maqsood Ahmad said that eradication of corruption is necessary to curtail the financial crisis and that the ruling class should initiate the anti-corruption campaign. The mental issues have become a serious problem in the country because people could not afford treatment. Mental Health Federation President Prof IAK Tareen said that mental and physical disabilities were increasing due to a lack of diagnostic and treatment facilities. He informed that there were more than 15 percent disabled people in our society.