Tripoli, Nov 27 (IANS): Human rights violations in Libya have left nearly a third of the population suffering from mental health problems, according to a new report.

Research by the Danish Institute Against Torture (Dignity) reveals human consequences of violence and lawlessness in the north African country since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi three-and-a-half years ago, The Guardian reported Wednesday.

A fifth of households (20 percent) had a family member who had disappeared, 11 percent reported having a household member arrested and 5 percent reported that one had been killed, the study found.

Of those arrested, 46 percent reported beatings, 20 percent positional torture or suspensions, 16 percent suffocation. Between 3 percent and 5 percent reported having suffered sexual, thermal or electrical torture.

"Our data supports the allegations that widespread... and gross human rights violations have taken place in Libya," the daily quoted the report as saying.

Data revealed that 29 percent of individuals reported anxiety and 30 percent depression.

Stress levels showed a preoccupation with political instability (63.6 percent) followed by the collapse of the country (61.2 percent), insecurity about "life right now" (56.6 percent) and insecurity about the future (46.4 percent).

Nearly 30 percent reported being exposed to violence during demonstrations.

Libya has witnessed a drastic escalation of violence after the 2011 turmoil which toppled the former leader Gaddafi.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon Tuesday said he was "deeply concerned" over the recent escalating violence in Libya, calling on all parties to "end these attacks and prevent further escalation".