ISLAMABAD Oct 16 (TNS): The Department of Health, Government of Khyber Pakhunkhwa (KPK) in partnership with UNICEF Pakistan and War Trauma Foundation, Netherlands has chalked out a comprehensive 5 year Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Strategic Plan 2018-2022 for the Province.
This was stated by Dr. Shaheen Afridi, Director Public Health, Directorate General Health Services, KPK today on the conclusion of a 3-day Workshop held in Islamabad to mark the World Mental Health Day observed on 10th of October every year.
The Workshop organized by the UNICEF in collaboration with the KPK Health Department and a Non-Governmental Organizations(NGOs) working in this field, was attended by Policy makers from the KPK Departments of Health, Education and Social Welfare, as well as practitioners from provincial primary, secondary and tertiary mental health care sectors.
The participants shared examples of best practices to form a solid technical basis for this 5-year plan. The mission is to enhance mental health and social well-being for all people living in KPK, particularly with regard to the province’s most vulnerable children, in support of which the Government is committed to provide the best possible mental and psychosocial support services to those in need.
The Department of Health also acknowledges that for many mental health or psychological disorders, prescribed medicines may be supplemented by, or even replaced, through the provision of appropriate psychosocial support services to individuals in distress, whereby the majority of people grappling with mental health issues might be managed more effectively at the community level – close to their homes and families.
Such an approach is especially effective when addressing the needs of children/ adolescents with psychosocial problems and will also contribute to reducing the stigma commonly affecting those seeking help.
The goal to integrate an appropriate mental health package with pre-existing primary care services will admittedly require unwavering dedication and energy over the medium to long term. However the path is clear and goals have been defined now and let’s move forward, Dr. Shaheen Afridi concluded.
