We are excited to share our latest publication entitled "Implementing the mhGAP-HIG: the process and evaluation of training primary healthcare workers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan" in BJPsych International: doi.org/10.1192/bji.20… We aim to build upon these efforts to extend

These are personal reflections on the experience of contributing to the strengthening of mental health services in #Balochistan - an aspiration I held onto for many years. Seeing this vision take shape has been deeply meaningful. However, the true value of these efforts lies in

Dr Kamal Khan Mandokhail is a Consultant Psychiatrist and describes some gaps in services and some examples of human rights violations in mental healthcare in Balochistan. These practices are neither uncommon, nor limited to Balochistan.

Dr Shah Nawaz is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Khuzdar, Balochistan. He highlights the severe shortage of mental health services, challenges faced by psychiatrists working outside the capital city; and lack of mental health literacy and the deeply entrenched stigma in

The successful implementation of the MHPSS_PK service model led by Ministry of Planning and Development requires engagement and commitment from multiple stakeholders across the health system at the provincial level. Over the past three months, our experience of working with the Health Department, GoB

We are working in Kohat this week. A doctor working in the area reports that the majority of households in his catchment population belong to families of 'belt' people [meaning FC, Police, Army, security forces]. He notes that in almost every second household, a family member has

Anecdotal evidence indicates that the burden of mental disorders in District Kohat is exceptionally high, underscoring the critical importance of building the capacity of primary care physicians through #mhGAP training. However, it is concerning that each physician is

A lady doctor serving in Kohat describes how common mental disorders are in women and that those experiencing mental health problems face significant barriers in accessing care. Stigmatizing attitudes at home and within communities, coupled with dependence on family members for

On World Mental Health Day 2025, Federal Minister Prof. Ahsan Iqbal reaffirms that Pakistan’s strength depends on the mental well-being of its people, especially those affected by humanitarian and climate crises. This year’s theme, “Mental Health in Humanitarian Emergencies,”

1️⃣ 0️⃣ . 1️⃣ 0️⃣ Since the 2005 earthquake, after meeting Dr. Mark van Ommeren at the WHO, I began a journey of learning about how to develop Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (#MHPSS) services. It started with small steps — writing an opinion piece in Dawn.com every year on

The humanitarian context in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan continues to be marked by significant and evolving security challenges. During the pilot phase of our implementation, operational constraints were encountered, including delays at Quetta Airport

The quality of training of clinical psychologists varies greatly across the country. Dr M Amjid, a clinical psychologist, describes the state of training in Kohat and strongly recommends that mhGAP-HIG (adapted for Pakistan) should be part of post graduate training in clinical

This video evokes a sense of disbelieve and tragedy. It is a stark reminder of how deeply neglected mental health care is in Pakistan.

پاکستان میں روزانہ 35,40 خودکشی کے واقعات ہوتے ہیں، آرگنائزیشنز کو احساس نہیں ہے کہ کیسے ذہنی دباؤ کو مینج کرنا ہے، خودکشی کرنا پبلک ہیلتھ ایشو ہے، ڈاکٹر عاصمہ ہمایوں DawnNews Asma Humayun

سول سرونٹس کی ذہنی صحت ترجیحات میں شامل نہیں ہے، اس کو ترجیحات میں شامل ہونا چاہیے، ہیلتھ کیئر پرووائیڈرز کو بلکل نہیں پتہ کہ خودکشی کے خطرات کو کم کرنے کیلئے کیا مدد فراہم کرنی ہے، ڈاکٹر عاصمہ ہمایوں DawnNews Asma Humayun

It was a great experience dissiminating our work at Ministry of Planning and Development at the 2nd international conference organised by AKU Brain & Mind Institute on 3rd-5th Nov. It was an honour to be a key note speaker to present ‘Prioritizing mental healthcare in Pakistan: Challenges & opportunities’.

In collaboration with Health Department Gilgit-Baltistan, the MHPSS_PK at the Ministry of Planning and Development is providing technical support to implement MHPSS pilot services in Baltistan. As part of this pilot, a 5 days #mhGAP training workshop was held in Skardu this month. This was attended by seventeen

Last week's event in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa marked a significant milestone, reflecting political will to prioritise mental health within the broader health agenda and demonstrating a strong commitment of both technical expertise and financial resources toward strengthening mental

📢 New Publication | Community Mental Health Workforce: Hamdard Force Arooj Najmussaqib Noor ul Ain Muneeb Many countries in the Global South face persistent challenges in developing and sustaining a community-based mental health workforce. We believe that Hamdard Force offers a