Amin A Muhammad Gadit.
Mental health first aid: need for grass root approach?.
J Pak Med Assoc Jan ;62(1):27-8.

Mental illness is fast reaching the stage of a 'global epidemic'. It carries a huge economic burden, morbidity, mortality and physical ailments. Much is being said about its serious magnitude and W.H.O. has identified this menace as a serious public health problem. W.H.O1 recommends the adoption of preventive strategy. It emphasizes on the different levels of prevention aiming at primary, secondary and tertiary stages. Promotion of mental well-being is another matter on agenda. According to W.H.O., it is important to gather information in a region about: prevalence and incidence of mental disorders, population at risk, community perceptions of risk and the need for preventive actions and to ascertain the health, social and economic outcomes of disorders.1 There is further elaboration by the same organization about possible risk factors like: access to alcohol and drugs, displacement, isolation and alienation, lack of education, transport and housing, peer rejection, poor social circumstances, poor nutrition, poverty, urbanization, discrimination, injustice, war, violence, work stress and unemployment. The identified protective factors are: empowerment, social integration, tolerance, social services, strong social support and community network.2 Depression which is the commonest mental illness is known for its grave complications. According to an estimate, 121 million people worldwide suffer from it and this disorder can be diagnosed and treated in primary care3. There is an emphasis on its prevention with the aim to train primary care personnel and improve the capacity of countries to create supportive policies in this regard.3 In terms of mental health manpower, there is shortage especially in the developing countries and hence a huge segment of population remains deprived of essential mental health care. Pakistan is no exception when it comes to mental health. As per earlier estimates in 2001 by W.H.O., there were only 320 psychiatrists in Pakistan based in urban areas of the country.

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