Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan, announced the introduction of the government’s “first dedicated mental health app and helpline” on Friday.
The news comes as the world marks World Health Day. The World Health Organization (WHO) is commemorating its 75th anniversary this year.
“On this World Health Day, I am pleased to announce the launch of the government’s first dedicated mental health app and helpline, #Humraaz.” “The well-being of our citizens, particularly their mental health, is critical to the advancement of our society,” the premier stated on Twitter.
“We need to break down the myths surrounding mental health,” he added. The picture attached to the tweet claimed that citizens may contact the helpline by dialing 1166, as well as detailing some of the initiative’s key features.
The programme will enable citizens to reach out to authorities in the case of suicide thoughts or a mental health emergency. It would also allow users to schedule appointments with psychiatrists and psychologists, as well as exchange and receive confidential information about their problems.
“The initiative’s goal is to provide consultation services and to help improve the health and quality of life of people suffering from deteriorating mental health,” Salman Sufi, the prime minister’s strategic reforms director, said earlier this month.
The initiative started on the prime minister’s orders, he said, adding that “there are several government hospitals that are on board with their psychologists, as well as some others who are not government [officials].”
Sufi stated that government employees who were feeling stressed might also anonymously discuss their problems and seek help. “The WHO and the Ministry of Health are developing it collaboratively under the PM strategic reforms unit,” he continued.
He claimed that there aren’t enough psychiatrists and psychologists to help persons with mental illnesses and those who are in danger. “However, we are deploying as many as we have access to and hope to add more in the future,” he added, adding that Pakistan was unusually late in initiating such a project.
“That’s why the prime minister asked us to take this up right away.” We are also attempting to establish an appropriate licensure and certification system for psychologists and psychiatrists. This tool will assist us in obtaining more precise data rather than depending on unsubstantiated information,” he added.
Sufi believes it is important to normalise the dialogue around mental health and eradicate stigma. “And, as the government supports citizens suffering from various mental health problems, this app will pave the way for mental health to be recognised as a very important public health concern,” he said.
