The National Youth Helpline, which has a toll-free number of 0800-69457, was established at the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Secretariat as part of the Prime Minister’s Youth Program (PMYP) to offer young people psychosocial support and counseling.
The helpline will offer a safe and private means to get information about adolescent-related difficulties, notably about job advancement, counseling for psychosocial issues, and issues with reproductive health. As part of the Prime Minister’s Youth Program, the United Nations Family Planning Association (UNFPA), Rahnuma-Family Planning Association of Pakistan (FPAP), and HEC have joined forces to provide psychosocial help to young people who are dealing with a variety of mental health difficulties.
The National Youth Helpline was formally launched by HEC’s Executive Director Dr. Shaista Sohail, Dr. Muhammad Ali, Additional Secretary (Prime Minister’s Youth Program), and Ms. Latika Maskey Pradhan, Deputy Representative, UNFPA. Mr. Awais Ahmed, HEC’s adviser for global engagement, Ms. Ayesha Ikram, director general for scholarships, Mr. Nasir Shah, and other representatives from the partner organizations attended the launch event. In her remarks, Dr. Shaista Sohail noted that 64 percent of Pakistan’s population is comprised of young people who want direction and support for their mental and psychological well-being in the face of difficulties like the recent floods’ devastation. She described the launch as a significant action performed at the appropriate time because young people need capable advice and workable solutions to their problems.
She informed the audience that this helpline will operate in two shifts to ensure the greatest amount of support all the time.
Speaking during the ceremony, Ms. Latika Pradhan remarked that despite having powerful connection tools and methods, young people still struggle with psychosocial and mental health challenges, such as gender-based violence. She argued that adolescence is a crucial stage of development when children must make decisions that will affect them for the rest of their lives. She emphasized that they need assistance now more than ever.
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 Secretariat as part of the Prime Minister's Youth Program (PMYP) to offer young people psychosocial support and counseling.){kind=link}