Pakistan launches National Mental Health Policy to expand care for 32.4 million people

The Government of Pakistan has launched the National Mental Health Policy 2026-2035 aimed at expanding access to mental health services

ISLAMABAD: The Government of Pakistan has launched the National Mental Health Policy 2026-2035 aimed at expanding access to mental health services for more than 32.4 million people who are estimated to require care across the country.

The policy was launched by Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal on Wednesday during the Pakistan Global Mental Health Summit in Islamabad. The two-day summit, being held on October 1 and 2, has brought together around 800 participants, including mental health professionals, policymakers, academics and representatives of international development organisations.

The initiative has been developed under the leadership of the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Global Institute of Human Development (GIHD) at Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University.

The summit is focused on discussing evidence-based measures to strengthen mental health services in Pakistan and support progress towards the Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2030, an international framework endorsed by World Health Assembly member states.

According to WHO estimates, around 32.4 million people in Pakistan require mental health care, while only about 5% of the population currently has access to such services. This leaves an estimated treatment gap of nearly 95%.

The shortage of trained professionals remains another major challenge. Pakistan has approximately 0.19 psychiatrists for every 100,000 people, compared with an average of seven psychiatrists per 100,000 population in high-income countries.

Speaking at the summit, Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal described mental health as an urgent national concern requiring coordinated action across government institutions and society. He called for the involvement of ministries, public institutions and individuals in creating a healthier and safer environment for citizens.

Minister of State for Health Dr Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath said the new policy represented a commitment to bringing mental health support closer to families. He said the government would work with provincial authorities to translate the policy into practical measures through schools, primary healthcare facilities and communities.

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the economic benefits of investment in mental health. He said every dollar invested in addressing conditions such as depression and anxiety could generate four dollars in returns through improved health and productivity.

He also stressed that seeking mental health support should not carry stigma, noting that mental health conditions can affect people at different stages of their lives.

UNICEF Representative in Pakistan Pernille Ironside emphasised the importance of placing children and adolescents at the centre of mental health initiatives. She called for greater attention to prevention, early identification and care, particularly as climate change and digital environments increasingly influence young people’s lives.

Dr Syed Usman Hamdani, Director of the Global Institute of Human Development, said Pakistan was undergoing significant changes in its approach to mental healthcare. He highlighted investments in research, implementation science, policy development and community-based initiatives aimed at delivering evidence-based services through primary healthcare, schools and communities.

The government also aims to establish the Global Mental Health Summit as Pakistan’s flagship international platform for advancing mental health policy, research, innovation and global partnerships, while promoting equitable, climate-resilient and future-ready mental health systems.