Govt launches mental health assistance app, helpline

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced launching on Friday the government’s first mental health assistance application – Humraaz – as well as an integrated helpline on World Health Day.

Taking to his official Twitter handle, the premier said that “citizens' well-being and especially mental health is paramount for our society’s improvement”.

“We need to remove taboo around mental health,” he added.

The app will offer psychotherapy, daily-activity monitoring, connection with professionals, chatbots, WhatsApp support and appointment booking.

Read Humraaz: Pakistan govt’s attempt at providing mental health assistance

The flyer for the initiative also invited psychologists and psychiatrists to register on the app and join the government’s project.

Earlier, President Dr Arif Alvi called for joint efforts by stakeholders, including the federal and provincial governments, the community and health professionals to work for the prevention and treatment of mental health disorders.

He said that it was a matter of serious concern that 24 per cent of the country’s population was suffering from mental health-related issues, whereas only 500 to 600 mental health professionals were available in the country to cater to the needs of this population.

He emphasised the need for increasing the number of mental health professionals, besides strengthening the capacity of general health professionals by training them to address the challenge of rising mental health disorders. The president chaired a meeting on mental health through the video link.