The Government of Pakistan has launched the National Mental Health Policy 2026-2035, aimed at reaching more than 32.4 million people who need mental health care. The policy was unveiled at the Global Mental Health Summit in Islamabad, held on 1-2 October.
The policy has been developed with the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Global Institute of Human Development (GIHD) at Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University (STMU).
The summit, led by the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, brought together 800 participants, in person and online. They included mental health experts, academics, international development partners and policymakers. The event discussed evidence-based measures to advance the Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2030, a framework approved by all Member States of the World Health Assembly.
According to WHO estimates, about 32.4 million people in Pakistan need mental health care, yet only around 5% have access to services, leaving a treatment gap of roughly 95%. The country also faces a shortage of qualified professionals, with 0.19 psychiatrists per 100,000 people, against an average of 7 per 100,000 in high-income countries.
Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal described mental health as an emergency, a national security issue and a national economic issue. He said every ministry and individual must play a role in creating a safe and healthy environment, and that the conference must lead to action. He thanked national and provincial institutions, authorities, and international and national partners for their cooperation.
Minister of State for Health Dr Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath said the policy reflects a shared commitment to bring care closer to families. He said the government will work with provincial governments to turn the commitment into action in schools, primary healthcare and communities, so that people can access support early, with dignity and respect.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said every dollar invested in addressing conditions such as depression and anxiety returns four dollars through better health and productivity. He added that there is no shame in seeking mental health support and that WHO will work with Pakistan to ensure access for everyone.
UNICEF Representative in Pakistan Pernille Ironside called for children and adolescents to be placed at the centre of mental health efforts, with greater focus on prevention, early identification and care. She said resilience to mental health risks, including those linked to climate change and digital environments, must be part of building a healthier generation.
GIHD Director Dr Syed Usman Hamdani said Pakistan has shown, through sustained investment in research, implementation science, policy development and community-based innovation, that effective mental health care can be delivered through primary healthcare, schools and communities.
Pakistan aims to establish the summit as its flagship international platform for mental health policy, implementation science, innovation and global partnerships, while promoting equitable, climate-resilient and future-ready mental health systems.
