City Desk
Islamabad: The Government of Pakistan launched the National Mental Health Policy 2026-2035 at the Global Mental Health Summit, in partnership with WHO, UNICEF and the Global Institute of Human Development at Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University. The two-day summit, held from October 1-2 under the Ministry of National Health Services, brings together 800 in-person and online participants, including experts, academics, development partners and policymakers.
WHO estimates that 32.4 million Pakistanis need mental health care, yet only about 5 percent have access to services, leaving a 95 percent treatment gap. Pakistan has about 0.19 psychiatrists per 100,000 people, compared with seven in high-income countries.
Health Minister Mustafa Kamal called mental health a national emergency, a security issue and an economic issue. Minister of State Dr. Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath said the government would work with provinces to deliver care through schools, primary healthcare and communities.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said every dollar invested yields four in returns. UNICEF’s Pernille Ironside urged putting children and adolescents at the centre of efforts.
Pakistan aims to make the summit its flagship global mental health platform.
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