Islamabad (News Desk) – Federal Minister for Planning, Ahsan Iqbal, emphasized that the development of any country is heavily reliant on the mental health of its people. Speaking at an international conference on mental health in Islamabad on Thursday, Iqbal stressed that mental health, alongside physical health, is of paramount importance and immediate actions are needed to address the gap in services.
Iqbal highlighted the urgent need to establish a robust and effective system to tackle mental health issues in the country. He pointed out that Pakistan, with a population of 240 million, has only 900 psychiatrists, a number that needs to be significantly increased to meet the growing demand for mental health services.
The Minister also touched upon the pressures caused by the rapid population growth, which is straining national resources. He urged the government to prioritize mental health care and pointed out that mental health issues can arise both on an individual and national level. He drew parallels between personal dignity and national dignity, emphasizing that just as an individual’s self-esteem can lead to depression, so can the nation’s self-esteem, which could have a negative impact on the country’s mental health and stability.
Iqbal reaffirmed that the government would soon launch a National Mental Health Policy, with a draft already in progress, which would be implemented promptly. He also outlined efforts to boost growth in key sectors such as agriculture, industry, and information technology, in line with the “Udaan Pakistan” program under the leadership of the Prime Minister, aimed at economic development.
In his closing remarks, the Minister urged the public to improve collective behaviors and work together as a united nation to foster national progress.
