Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that the government had created the “first dedicated mental health app and helpline.” The period of the event is World Health Day, which is observed every year. In this year that marks the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 75th birthday.
“I’m happy to announce that the first government-sponsored mental health helpline and app, #Humraaz, have gone live on World Health Day. The prime minister said on Twitter that the welfare of the people, particularly their mental health, is crucial to the advancement of our society. He went on to say that we have to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health. The project’s major components were detailed in the tweet’s accompanying graphic, along with the helpline’s 1166 phone number and important project details.
On this World Health Day today, I am pleased to announce the launch of Government's first dedicated mental health App #Humraaz & helpline. Citizens' well-being & especially mental health is paramount for our society’s improvement. We need to remove taboo around mental health. pic.twitter.com/PurQ2rupi0
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) April 7, 2023
People will be able to use the application to get in touch with the appropriate people if they are having suicidal thoughts or a mental health emergency. Users will also be able to book private sessions with psychologists and psychiatrists, communicate their difficulties, and make appointments.
Salman Sufi, the head of the prime minister’s strategic reforms had earlier in February stated that the program “aims to provide consultation services and to help improve the health and the general well-being of those whose mental health is failing.” In addition, “there are several government hospitals that support their psychologists as well as some others who are not government [officials],” he continued, “the others who are not government [officials].” He claimed that the effort was started as a result of the prime minister’s directives.
Sufi urged exhausted government workers to privately share their situation with others and request assistance. It is being cooperatively developed by the WHO and the Ministry of Health under the supervision of the PM Strategic Reforms Unit, he added.
He asserted that there aren’t enough psychologists and psychiatrists to assist both people in need of mental health care and those who are in danger. He continued, “We are deploying as many as we have access to and aim to add more in later stages,” even though Pakistan was well behind other nations in launching such a program. The prime minister consequently requested that we address the issue immediately now. Another thing we are trying to do is to develop a proper licensing and certification system for psychologists and psychiatrists.
This program will enable us to more accurately acquire data rather than relying on unreliable sources, he added. Sufi stated that there should be an end to the stigmatization of mental illness and more open conversations about it. In addition, he added, “This app will open the door for mental health to be viewed as a very major public health problem as the government is assisting citizens who are experiencing a range of mental health difficulties.
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