"A specialist calls attention to the fact that 15% of Pakistani youth grapple with mental health challenges"
In a significant global event, World Brain Day 2025 was celebrated on Thursday at the Karachi Press Club, emphasising the importance of brain health and wellbeing for all. The day marked a call to action for countries, particularly developing ones like Pakistan, to address the growing mental health crisis.
Dr Muhammad Wasay, a top Pakistani neurologist, reiterated that brain health is a priority for all, stating that 15% of Pakistan's youth are suffering from mental health disorders. He emphasised that mental health is a fundamental human right, but mental illnesses are still considered a stigma in Pakistani society, leading to patients being deprived of timely treatment.
The theme for World Brain Day 2025 is "Brain Health and Wellbeing: A Priority for All". In line with this theme, several initiatives and programs were highlighted, aimed at tackling mental health disorders among the youth and improving overall brain health.
One such initiative was the Mental Health Hackathon 2025, Pakistan's largest-ever mental health hackathon, held at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi. This two-day event gathered 94 university students from across the country to brainstorm innovative, tech-enabled solutions addressing mental health challenges such as stress, academic pressure, and workplace burnout.
Another notable initiative was the World Brain Day 2025 Awareness and Advocacy event by the Neurology Awareness and Research Foundation (NARF). Experts highlighted that approximately 15% of Pakistani youth suffer from mental health disorders and stressed the need to overcome stigma and increase access to neurological and psychiatric care. However, Pakistan faces a critical shortage of specialists and healthcare infrastructure, with only 400 neurologists nationwide.
Parindey, an initiative supported by the 2025 Youth Solidarity Fund, is working to expand youth leadership in Pakistan by helping young people create safe spaces and advocate for reforms in mental health. This initiative focuses on resisting harmful narratives and pushing for policy-level change to improve mental health services for youth.
The Institute of Clinical Psychology at the University of Karachi conducted a workshop aimed at building psychological resources among youth, contributing directly to strengthening individual resilience and mental well-being on a broader scale.
Relief International runs community-based, home-based skills development programs targeting vulnerable youth populations, including Afghan refugees and displaced families. These programs incorporate Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) to address trauma, stress, and mental health challenges while equipping young people with employable skills to combat unemployment and socio-economic vulnerabilities.
These combined initiatives reflect a multi-faceted approach involving awareness campaigns, technological innovation, advocacy, professional training, and integration of mental health support with socio-economic empowerment to improve the mental and brain health landscape for Pakistani youth.
Promoting mental health requires joint action from the government, medical professionals, media, and the public. Access to rehabilitation, physiotherapy, and special education must be made widespread and affordable. Encouraging positive thinking, physical activity, and social connections can help prevent depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. Recognising mental health as a basic human right is essential for building a healthy and productive society.
Infrastructure for neurological or psychiatric care remains lacking in district hospitals and basic health units in Pakistan. Stroke cases have reportedly doubled compared to the past ten years, underscoring the urgent need for improved healthcare facilities. The Narf calls for timely diagnosis of neurological disorders and elimination of associated superstitions.
World Brain Day 2025 serves as a reminder that brain health is the foundation of a prosperous, strong, and dignified society. Women and children are particularly vulnerable to mental health issues due to nutritional deficiencies during pregnancy, poverty, and social pressures.
In conclusion, the initiatives highlighted on World Brain Day 2025 underscore the need for a comprehensive approach to improve mental and brain health in Pakistan. These efforts, combined with public awareness and a shift in societal attitudes towards mental health, can help build a healthier, more productive society for all.
[1] Source: https://www.ibanews.ibau.edu.pk/pakistans-largest-ever-mental-health-hackathon-held-at-iba-karachi/ [2] Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/834648-world-brain-day-2025-awareness-and-advocacy [3] Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/819378-parindey-to-expand-youth-leadership-in-pakistan [4] Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/833021-university-of-karachi-conducts-workshop-aimed-at-building-psychological-resources-among-youth [5] Source: https://www.relief-international.org/what-we-do/programs/youth-employment-and-skills-training/pakistan
- Recognizing the serious mental health issues affecting youth, Dr Muhammad Wasay called for a fundamental shift in societal attitudes, emphasizing that mental health is a fundamental human right but still considered a stigma in Pakistani society.
- In line with World Brain Day 2025's theme, the Mental Health Hackathon 2025, Pakistan's largest-ever mental health hackathon, gathered students to brainstorm tech-enabled solutions for mental health challenges, aiming to improve overall brain health and wellbeing.
- To combat the rising mental health crisis, Parindey, a youth-led initiative supported by the 2025 Youth Solidarity Fund, focuses on creating safe spaces and advocating for mental health reforms among young people, resisting harmful narratives and pushing for policy-level change.
