President Dr Arif Alvi has called for a well-integrated and effective awareness campaign about mental health and reducing the stigma against mental illnesses.

Addressing a meeting on mental health in Islamabad on Wednesday, he said efforts to strengthen the existing infrastructure and create awareness should further be augmented using online mental health portals, virtual programs, Artificial Intelligence, Mental Health Chat bots, helplines, mobilizing relevant government and other stakeholders, and forging public-private partnerships.

The President noted with concern that mental disorders accounted for more than four percent of the total disease burden with the mental health burden higher among women. 

He said there are an estimated 24 million people in Pakistan who are in need of psychiatric assistance but unfortunately Pakistan only has 0.19 psychiatrists per 100,000 people.

The President said that dissemination of mental health-related information to the general public through Ulema and Pesh Imams and mosques will help in breaking the taboos attached to mental health and changing people's attitudes and behaviours towards mental health and well-being. 

He also called for launching social media campaigns, community-based video screening, and engaging schools, colleges and universities in the mental health awareness campaign.