PD&SI launches mental health guide & digital tool kit on World Mental Health Day

Dated : 11 October 2022

Pakistan has formally launched the Mental Health & Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) model which is multilayered and digitized, rights based, scalable and sustainable on the guidelines of World Health Organization (WHO) to mark the World Mental Health day.

The MHPSS was launched on Tuesday with the theme ‘Make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority'. Federal Minister for Planning Development & Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal was the chief guest who launched the model. The launching ceremony was attended by the Special Secretary Ministry of Health of National Health Services & Regulations, Health Minister of Balochistan, representative of WHO, Members of planning commission and a large number of students were present at the occasion.

The model aims to successfully engage the community, build the capacity of mental health professionals and develop inter-sectoral collaboration. This model serves as a perfect response to the growing mental health challenge.

It is noted that Pakistan is home to approximately 220 million people but has one of the poorest mental health indicators in the world. As per estimates of the WHO, over 30 million people in the country suffer from some sort of mental disorders. Pakistan is estimated to have less than 500 psychiatrists in total, which has created a massive gap in treatment of mental health issues. The paucity of mental health professionals has left untreated more than 80% of people with common mental health disorders.

I am happy to launch this model which was started in 2016, said the ministry, while addressing the launching ceremony of the model. “If the mental health is compromised then it will affect physical health too,” said the minister while emphasizing the importance of mental health which remained neglected in the country.

Speaking at the occasion, the minister said PD&SI organised a roundtable in 2016 while inviting doctors to address the mental health issue and to take concrete steps to eliminate the menace. He said that initially this model will be implemented in ICT in collaboration with WHO, Ministry of health and Planning Commission while the provincial government will follow the same model. The minister further added that people have faced tough times during Corona and now flood has been the key issue therefore, this model will help them to come out from this crisis.


The participant also highlighted that mental health cases have increased after the recent floods in the country and the government's decision to extend mental health to primary health care level across the country will make a difference in rehabilitation of disaster-stricken people, especially nine million displaced from their homes.

As part of this model, the minister also launched the important resource to build the capacity of primary healthcare to respond to the mental health challenges. Member Social Sector & Devolution, Ministry of Planning Commission, Dr Rafi Ullah informed the audience about the model and digital kit. He described the process of developing the MHPSS model at the MoPDSI and explained the role of the ministry in coordination and their exclusive mandate to identify an overlooked area that needs attention and launch it as a special initiative.

This internationally recognized guide, called mhGAP-HIG has been specifically adapted for Pakistan. This guide has also been converted into a digital application. ``The objective of this guide is to train primary care staff and counsellors to provide treatment for common mental disorders and identify those who need further specialist care,” he added.

Speaking at the occasion, Secretary, Ministry of NHPRC, Dr Fakhre Alam also highlighted the need to address the existing gaps in mental healthcare in the country and reiterated the commitment by the MoNHSRC to support the MHPSS initiative in ICT.