Pakistan faces a mental health emergency that demands urgent, systemic reform. With nearly 25 million citizens affected by psychological and neurological disorders, mental health in Pakistan has reached a critical threshold.
As World Mental Health Day is observed this October, Pakistan must confront the stark realities of its mental health landscape. According to the Milkar Report 2025, a nationally representative survey led by the British Asian Trust and Gallup Pakistan, mental health in Pakistan remains deeply stigmatized, and access to care is alarmingly limited. The report reveals that despite growing awareness campaigns, the majority of Pakistanis still associate mental illness with shame, weakness, or spiritual failure. This cultural resistance continues to obstruct early diagnosis, treatment, and community support.
The crisis is compounded by a severe shortage of mental health professionals. Pakistan has fewer than 500 practicing psychiatrists and only around 400 neurologists for a population exceeding 240 million. This ratio is not just inadequate—it is catastrophic. The youth are particularly vulnerable, with 15% reportedly suffering from mental health disorders, yet schools and universities lack structured psychological support systems. The absence of mental health infrastructure in rural areas further exacerbates the divide, leaving millions without even basic counseling services.
Government policy has historically treated mental health as a peripheral concern. While the Mental Health Act of 2001 was a step forward, its implementation remains inconsistent across provinces. Budget allocations for mental health are negligible, and there is no national framework for integrating mental health into primary healthcare. The result is a fragmented system where patients are either neglected or misdiagnosed, and families are left to navigate the crisis alone.
To address this, mental health in Pakistan must be mainstreamed into public health policy, with dedicated funding and measurable targets. Training general practitioners in basic psychiatric care can help bridge the specialist gap. Awareness campaigns must evolve beyond slogans. They should be rooted in community engagement, religious discourse, and media storytelling that humanizes mental illness and dismantles stigma. Digital platforms can also be leveraged to deliver remote counseling and therapy, especially in underserved regions. Telepsychiatry, if regulated and scaled, could revolutionize access.
Educational institutions must play a proactive role. Mental health literacy should be embedded in curricula, and every school should have access to trained counselors. Employers, too, must recognize mental well-being as a workplace priority, offering support programs and destigmatizing mental health leave.
Mental health in Pakistan is not just a medical issue—it is a social, economic, and moral challenge. The cost of inaction is visible in rising suicide rates, fractured families, and diminished productivity. But with political will, professional leadership, and community solidarity, the country can chart a new course. World Mental Health Day should not be a ceremonial observance—it must be a catalyst for reform. The time to act is now.
Read more health-related news and articles here: https://thepublicpurview.com/category/health/
Stay updated with verified reports, impactful headlines, and real-time coverage. We bring you trusted news from across Pakistan and beyond. For full stories, in-depth analysis, and exclusive updates, follow or visit our website. Your source for credible journalism, national resilience, and the voices that matter most—delivered with clarity, urgency, and integrity.
For climate-related stories, visit: The Green Post
