ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s President, Dr. Arif Alvi, has called attention to Pakistan’s limited capacity to address the burden of mental health issues, emphasizing the importance of raising awareness about mental health and well-being. He pointed out that most mental illnesses can be effectively treated when diagnosed and managed at an early stage.
In a message to the nation on World Mental Health Day, observed annually on October 10, President Alvi cited the National Commission of Human Rights of Pakistan, which reported that 24% of the population in Pakistan is experiencing stress, a situation exacerbated by economic difficulties.
He highlighted the day’s theme, “Mental health is a universal human right,” aiming to create awareness about the significance of mental health, the impact of mental illness on people’s lives, and the need for familial support. He emphasized the importance of recognizing the issue, breaking social taboos, and seeking professional help.
President Alvi acknowledged that Pakistan faces limitations in terms of human and material resources to address the increasing burden of mental health issues, especially among adolescents, young people, and women. He noted that newspapers frequently report extreme cases of suicides, domestic violence, and even killings linked to mental health challenges.
To address this challenge, he called for an integrated approach to strengthen the existing infrastructure, including the use of online mental health platforms, virtual programs, artificial intelligence, mental health chatbots, helplines, and collaboration between the government and relevant stakeholders through public-private partnerships.
Urgent Need of Qualified Mental Health Professionals
The president emphasized the urgent need for trained and qualified mental health professionals and telehealth centers to reach out to those in need. He urged various sectors, including the media, educators, parents, religious scholars, celebrities, social media influencers, and community leaders, to understand the severity of the situation and work together to eliminate social taboos that discourage discussions about mental health and seeking assistance.
President Alvi highlighted the high levels of stress among students in colleges and universities, reaching as high as 60%. He called on educational institutions and employers to create an enabling environment that promotes a healthy work-life balance for students and employees.
He encouraged individuals to adopt healthier lifestyles, spend quality time with friends and family, and engage in regular physical activity to reduce anxiety and stress levels. He expressed hope that collective efforts at the individual, institutional, and national levels would contribute to improving the overall mental health and well-being of the Pakistani population.
