Pakistan to host global mental health summit on Oct 1-2

Islamabad: The Ministry of Health is finalizing preparations for the Global Mental Health Summit, set to take place on October 1-2 in connection with World Mental Health Day. The summit, themed "Building Climate-Resilient and Future-Ready Mental Health Systems for Children, Young People and Communities," will be supported by lead development partners.

Pakistan faces a significant burden of mental, neurological, and substance use conditions, with an estimated 10-16% of adults living with a mild-to-moderate psychiatric condition and 1-2% with severe mental illness. Mental disorders are the leading cause of disability in the country and among Pakistani women. Currently, only about 1% of psychiatric beds are designated for children and adolescents, and an estimated 80% of those with diagnosable mental illness do not receive formal mental health care.

The economic cost of mental illness was estimated at Rs617 billion in 2020. The Ministry of Health is also developing the National Mental Health Policy (NMHP) 2026-35 to translate national commitments into action at the provincial and regional levels. The summit aims to provide a platform for governments, parliamentarians, UN partners, mental health experts, academic institutions, development partners, young people, civil society, and people with lived experience to address child and adolescent mental health, suicide prevention, substance use, digital mental health, innovation, and climate-resilient mental health systems.