About 74.5 percent of patients injured during the July mass protests and currently under treatment at the National Institute of Opthalmology & Hospital (NIOH) show symptoms of depression, according to a study conducted by the doctors of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) & Hospital.

Of them, 27.3 percent are experiencing severe depression while over half (54.5 percent) displayed symptoms of mild to severe anxiety. Additionally, 58.2 percent experience stress, as per the report.

A total of 55 patients participated in the study. The findings were revealed by Muntasir Maruf, associate professor of NIMH, at a workshop on vision and mental health at NIOH in Dhaka today.

Addressing the mental health of the patients, two separate wards with 10 beds each have been designated at the hospital, said Muntasir.

Free special counselling and psychotherapy services are available for the patients during office hours, he added.