Consultant psychologist Dr Ahmad Bilal says mental health enables individuals to cope with the stresses of life, realise their abilities, work effectively and contribute to their communities.

In an exclusive interview with Radio Pakistan’s correspondent Qasim Bukhari, Dr Ahmad Bilal said mental health disorders have a significant economic impact worldwide, with indirect costs, particularly those associated with lost productivity, far exceeding direct healthcare costs.

He said depression and anxiety alone cost the global economy an estimated one trillion US dollars annually.

Dr Ahmad Bilal welcomed the Punjab government’s initiative to introduce mental health training for teachers for the first time in the province.

He also appreciated the Punjab government's proposed measures to appoint visiting psychologists in every district and provide online counselling services to students. He said these initiatives could help improve access to mental health support.