PESHAWAR: Professor Dr Khalid Mufti, a senior mental health expert, arranged a free mental health camp at the Commerce College in Bajaur to provide support to internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by the conflict.
The camp, held in a location housing 586 displaced persons, was aimed at addressing the psychological trauma experienced by the community.Led by Dr Khalid Mufti, a team of professionals, including psychologists Zarqa Sahar, Sumawiya Sheraz, and Aaliya Shah, along with Adnan and Misbahuddin provided services to more than 80 IDPs.
The services included distress counseling, psychological support mechanisms, and the distribution of necessary medications.Team members said initial data from the camp revealed a worrying trend, as 39 percent of patients were diagnosed with confirmed psychiatric conditions, including depression, panic disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
They said the assessment highlighted that nearly all patients were severely affected by the sudden displacement. Many with pre-existing conditions experienced relapses, while new cases of trauma were also prevalent.
In addition to medical services, Dr Khalid Mufti distributed essential aid items to affected families, including mosquito nets, dignity kits, and school bags, underscoring a commitment to both their physical and psychological well-being.
The initiative was described as a much-needed lifeline for a community grappling with the profound emotional and psychological aftershocks of displacement.Dr Khalid Mufti recalled that a 35-year-old woman from Damadola village in Mamund Tehsil of the district said her family was evacuated early in the morning and did not have time to take even additional clothes.
“The woman was distressed by the fresh trauma of sudden evacuation. She recalled flashbacks of similar episodes 18 years ago when her family had also been evacuated, which caused her PTSD,” the mental health expert said while sharing details of the people he examined during the free camp.
Prof Afzal Javed, a renowned psychiatrist and former president of the World Psychiatric Association, held an online meeting with representatives of the Community Volunteer Network (CVN), Bajaur, during which he assured them of his full support for the displaced persons of Bajaur. He acknowledged the urgent mental health and humanitarian needs in the region and pledged to help mobilize international resources and raise awareness about the crisis.
It is worth mentioning that the free mental health camp was arranged after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Professor Mufti’s consortium of organizations and CVN Bajaur, a local group with experience in social work.
The MOU was signed on behalf of Horizon NGO, Ibdat Hospital Peshawar, Allied Health Association, Pakistan Psychiatric Research Centre, and Fountain House, Lahore.It may be noted that Bajaur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at the border with Afghanistan, has been impacted by conflict over the past two decades, leading to multiple waves of displacement. The targeted operation launched last month has also led to displacement.
Published in The News on August 26, 2025.
