Islamabad: Millions of Pakistanis suffering from chronic illnesses including diabetes, hepatitis and other long term diseases are also facing growing psychological and emotional distress, while rising suicide incidents and socio economic pressures are deepening the country’s mental health crisis, Minister of State for Health Dr Mukhtar Bharath said on Thursday.
Addressing a mental health event organized by the Health Services Academy (HSA) and Bahria University, the minister said the biggest weakness in Pakistan’s healthcare system remained lack of prevention and public awareness.
He said around 35 to 40 million Pakistanis were living with diseases such as diabetes, hepatitis and other chronic conditions, adding that these illnesses were also creating serious emotional and psychological stress for patients and their families.
Dr Mukhtar Bharath said suicide incidents were increasing in several regions including Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan and Punjab, where domestic violence, social pressures and economic hardships were contributing to mental health problems.
He warned that children growing up in psychologically disturbed environments were at greater risk of developing behavioural and mental health issues.
The minister said Pakistan’s mental health sector remained fragmented, with psychiatrists, psychologists, allied health professionals and regulatory institutions often working without coordination. He added that shortage of trained psychiatrists and psychologists was another major challenge for the country.
Calling for an integrated national response, Dr Mukhtar Bharath said the government was working on a comprehensive strategy to strengthen Pakistan’s mental health system and improve preventive care and awareness.
He said a recent Technical Advisory Group meeting reviewed mental health challenges linked to climate change and discussed development of a resilient mental health system with participation of federal and provincial authorities, the National Disaster Management Authority and technical experts.
The minister also announced that a major international event would be held in Islamabad on World Mental Health Day 2026, where Pakistan’s National Mental Health Policy and climate related mental health initiatives were expected to be unveiled.
Vice Chancellor of the Health Services Academy Prof Dr Shahzad Ali Khan said the academy had organized Pakistan’s first major public mental health event bringing psychiatrists and psychologists together on a single platform.
He said the academy was working with international institutions including the University of Liverpool and the University of Manchester to strengthen research, training and mental health services in Pakistan.
Prof Dr Shahzad Ali Khan added that the academy was also focusing on counselling, early detection, management and research on common mental disorders, besides developing trained human resources in public mental health.
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