ISLAMABAD: On World Mental Health Day, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed the government's commitment to improving mental health services in Pakistan, stressing that “there can be no health without mental health.”
In his message, the prime minister said the country joined the international community in recognising the importance of mental health and addressing psychological challenges with the seriousness they deserve.
Referring to this year’s theme, “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change,” he emphasised the need to listen to people experiencing mental health conditions and incorporate their perspectives into policies, services and decisions affecting their lives.
The prime minister said mental health was essential not only for preventing and treating psychological conditions but also for the healthy development of young people and enabling them to realise their full potential. He stressed that their intellectual and emotional development was vital to national progress and prosperity.
He called for mental health conditions to be treated with the same acceptance as physical illnesses at individual, family and societal levels. He said a supportive, non-judgmental environment was necessary to encourage people to seek timely treatment without fear of stigma or social pressure.
Shehbaz Sharif said the government was committed to eliminating discriminatory attitudes and removing barriers that prevent people from accessing mental health support.
He said the Ministry of National Health Services was working on Pakistan’s National Mental Health Policy 2026–2035, which aims to establish a more accessible, equitable and rights-based framework for mental healthcare. He added that effective implementation, supported by measurable outcomes, remained a government priority.
The prime minister said the government was working with provincial administrations and relevant stakeholders to promote early diagnosis and intervention and integrate mental health services into primary healthcare facilities, educational institutions and community-based platforms.
He emphasised that children, young people, women and vulnerable groups required particular attention, especially communities affected by poverty, displacement, emergencies and climate change.
He stressed that effective treatment, care and rehabilitation required sustained cooperation among governments, educational institutions, families, civil society, mental health professionals and development partners.
On the occasion, the prime minister urged every Pakistani to help build a society where people could discuss mental health openly without fear, stigma or embarrassment, and where everyone had the opportunity and support to lead a healthy, active and fulfilling life.
Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif
Prime Minister of Pakistan
