Mental health centre set up at KU

KARACHI:

The University of Karachi has established a dedicated Mental Health and Well-being Centre at its Medical Centre to address the growing psychological challenges, emotional stress, anxiety and mental health concerns confronting students, faculty members and administrative staff. The initiative marks a significant institutional commitment towards creating a healthier, more supportive and psychologically resilient university environment.

The centre was formally inaugurated on Monday by the Chairman of the Sindh Mental Health Authority, Senator Dr Karim Ahmed Khawaja, along with KU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Wasim Qazi.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Dr Qazi highlighted the alarming scale of mental health challenges in Pakistan and emphasised that psychological well-being must become a national development priority.

Citing available estimates, he observed that approximately 37 per cent of people across different age groups in Pakistan experience some form of mental stress, psychological complication or mental health disorder.

The KU VC informed that the University of Karachi currently has more than 47,000 enrolled students, in addition to a substantial teaching and non-teaching workforce. Given the scale and diversity of this university community, he said, providing accessible psychological support, early intervention and professional counselling was among his foremost priorities.

Senator Khawaja, the chief guest, appreciated the initiative taken by the University of Karachi and announced that he would facilitate the establishment of a dedicated helpline for the University on the pattern of the facility operating at Dow University of Health Sciences. He also assured support in arranging the necessary equipment and technical expertise to strengthen the centre's operational capacity.

The centre will provide free and confidential psychological counselling, therapy and support services to students, faculty members and non-teaching employees, alongside awareness programmes, preventive interventions and referral services where required.