Young psychology students in Pakistan are taking the lead in raising mental health awareness through initiatives supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), aiming to challenge stigma and promote open dialogue on mental well-being.
“Awareness about mental health is important to address the stigmas around it,” said Sejal, a psychology student at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Pakistan. She believes that despite growing conversations, many people still hesitate to talk about mental health publicly — a silence she hopes to change through advocacy and awareness.
Sejal is among several Pakistani students who participated in mental health awareness sessions organized by the World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with local educational institutions. These sessions aim to empower youth and health workers with knowledge and tools to address mental health challenges in their communities.
Globally, one in seven people live with a mental health condition, and Pakistan is no exception. The WHO notes that mental health needs intensify during emergencies, such as floods or conflicts, when families are displaced and health systems are stretched thin.
Echoing Sejal’s thoughts, Hijab Fatima, another psychology student at NUST, highlighted the pressures facing today’s youth. “Nowadays, there are so many stressors,” she said. “Economic pressure, social expectations… not everyone knows how to deal with them. Mental health awareness is key to informing people about coping mechanisms, healthy ways to manage stress, and knowing when and where to seek professional help.”
To strengthen Pakistan’s response to mental health issues, WHO and its partners have supported the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination in integrating mental health into universal health coverage. Through the Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP), WHO is also helping scale up services for mental, neurological, and substance use disorders at the primary health care level.
As WHO emphasizes, there is “no health without mental health.” Mental health challenges, if unaddressed, can hinder personal potential, strain families, and obstruct progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This year, during the World Mental Health Day celebrations, WHO and Pakistan’s Ministry of Health reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration on mental health, particularly in humanitarian and emergency contexts. Empowering youth and health workers remains central to building healthier, more resilient communities.
Among the professionals benefiting from these initiatives is Annum Tanveer, a clinical psychologist with eight years of experience. “The learnings from the sessions were user-friendly. They’ve been immensely helpful in my sessions with teenagers and improved my approach to community work,” she said.
For students like Mishal Ahmed, another NUST psychology student, mental health advocacy is deeply personal. “Mental health matters. It is a stepping stone towards understanding humanity,” she said, emphasizing that mental health is not a privilege but a fundamental human right.
