Sanam Saeed urges for a mental health helpline to be started in Pakistan

"We need a toll free number to get help at the end of the line, to help save lives," she said.

KARACHI: Mental health awareness remains a point of concern in Pakistan, where many prefer to suffer in silence due to the stigma attached to it. Considering this, no wonder that the prevalence of depression is four times higher in Pakistan than in the rest of the world, according to the Pakistan Association for Mental Health (PAMH).

On Tuesday, actor Sanam Saeed brought light to the matter, demanding something be down to curb the increasing suicide rate in Pakistan. Taking to Twitter, she said that there is no free helpline for suicide.

"We need a call to action to this. There is no free helpline for suicide, or any mental health related trauma. We need a toll free number to get help at the end of the line; to help save lives. Also, break the stigma; the taboo. There is no shame is seeking mental health help," she wrote in the tweet.

We need a call to action for this. There is no free helpline for suicide, or any mental health related trauma. We need a toll free number to get help at the end of the line, to help save lives. Also, break the stigma, the taboo. There is no shame is seeking mental health help.

— Sanam Saeed (@sanammodysaeed) July 16, 2019

The Bachaana actor added that Pakistanis need a toll free number to get help at the end of the line, to help save lives.

Earlier, President Dr Arif Alvi had also called for a 24/7 helpline to address mental health issues.

In a tweet on Sunday, he wrote, “Millions of people, especially women, under different socio-economic pressures face depression and some commit suicide. Psychiatric help should be readily available including a 24/7 helpline.”

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