Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to make mental health a national priority. In his message on the occasion of World Mental Health Day being observed today, he urged all segments of society to join hands in eliminating stigma and promoting compassion for those facing psychological challenges. The President stressed the importance of open dialogue within families, schools, workplaces, and communities to foster resilience and understanding. He extended his solidarity to all those in Pakistan and around the globe who live with mental health challenges.

According to Radio Pakistan, recognizing this challenge, the President said the Federal Government, through the Ministry of National Health Services, has taken a series of steps to integrate mental health into the broader public health system. He mentioned that mental health services are being introduced at primary healthcare facilities, while tele-mental health platforms are extending access to those in remote and underserved areas. Similarly, community health workers are being trained to identify symptoms early and provide support, while awareness campaigns are tackling stigma and misinformation.