Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives
Evaluation of mhGAP-HIG training outcomes
September 29, 2026
The study evaluated the effectiveness of training on a broader set of interrelated competencies to assess the physicians’ knowledge, skills, confidence and attitudes for desirable clinical outcomes, highlighting that the contextualized, competency-focused mhGAP-HIG training can significantly strengthen PCPs’ ability to identify and manage mental health conditions in Pakistan.
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Social Support for vulnerable Afghan Refugees and host Communities (SSARC) Project
September 14, 2026
In 2017, the German Federal Government launched a project, “Social Support for vulnerable Afghan Refugees and host Communities”, which concluded this month. One of the aims of the project was to support the Government of Pakistan to improve access to public mental health and psychosocial support services (MHPSS) for vulnerable groups at the national and provincial levels through integrating MHPSS into community-based services and primary healthcare
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Mental Health Legislative Reforms in Balochistan
September 11, 2026
As part of the 'Development and Policy Review of the Mental Health Legislative Framework' undertaken by the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, a consultative workshop was held in Quetta on 7th September, 2026, to review the Gap Analysis for the Balochistan Mental Health Act, 2019.
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Mental Health Legislative Reform in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
August 29, 2026
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department has notified a Working Group on legislative reforms. The group comprises representatives of Director General Health Services, Health Sector Reforms Unit, Directorate of Law and Human Rights, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Care Commission, mental health and public health experts, and persons with lived experience to review the gap analysis.
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Review of the Gap Analysis of mental health legislation: a pilot workshop
August 19, 2026
A legislative review of mental health legislations has been initiated by the Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives in 2026. Following a comprehensive review of the provincial legislations; documentation of the differences between the provincial legislations; preparation of a detailed rights-based analysis of existing laws where each provision was checked against the WHO; and a detailed consultative process; the review of the gap analysis is now planned at provincial levels.
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Mental Health of childrenin a digital environment
August 17, 2026
The International Bioethics Committee (IBC) at UNESCO has released a report "Ethical considerations for youth mental health in the digital environment". The report highlights that children and adolescents live in a digital world that offers real opportunities including access to information, social connection, civic participation.
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Mental Health Strategic Planning & Coordination Unit Health Section Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives