National Hub of Excellence for Mental Health

Building on National Momentum

From the Summit to a national policy

Pakistan Global Mental Health Summit 2026

The Pakistan Global Mental Health Summit 2026, held on 1–2 October 2026 in Islamabad under the theme “From Policy to Action,” marked an important milestone in advancing Pakistan’s mental health agenda.

The Summit brought together national and international stakeholders, including federal and provincial government representatives, policymakers, mental health professionals, researchers, civil society organisations, development partners, and people with lived experience. Through dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collective engagement, the Summit reinforced the importance of coordinated action to strengthen mental health systems and improve access to care.

The Summit was organised through collaboration among government and institutional partners, including GIHD, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, UNICEF Pakistan, and WHO.

Visit the Summit →

National Mental Health Policy 2026–2035

A landmark milestone of the Summit was the launch of the National Mental Health Policy 2026–2035 on 1 October 2026 by H.E. Syed Mustafa Kamal, Minister of State for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination.

The Policy provides a national framework for strengthening Pakistan’s mental health response and advancing mental health as an integral component of public health. Translating its priorities into meaningful outcomes will require sustained collaboration, a skilled workforce, integrated services, evidence-informed decision-making, and effective monitoring and accountability.

Our Mandate

Six interconnected pillars

The National Hub will work across six interconnected pillars to support the implementation of national mental health priorities and strengthen Pakistan’s mental health ecosystem.

1. 01

   Education

   Promoting mental health literacy and integrating mental health education into academic, professional, and community settings. The Hub will support learning opportunities that strengthen understanding of mental health, reduce misconceptions, and encourage informed and supportive responses across society.

2. 02

   Research

   Generating, synthesising, and translating evidence to inform mental health policy, interventions, service delivery, and implementation. The Hub will promote research collaboration, identify evidence gaps, support innovation, and strengthen the use of research findings in decision-making.

3. 03

   Training and Workforce Development

   Strengthening the knowledge, skills, and competencies of mental health professionals, primary healthcare workers, community-based providers, researchers, and other relevant stakeholders. The Hub will support capacity-building, multidisciplinary learning, and workforce development responsive to Pakistan’s mental health needs.

4. 04

   Advocacy and Community Engagement

   Advancing mental health awareness, reducing stigma and discrimination, and promoting meaningful participation in mental health policy, research, and services. The Hub will encourage the involvement of people with lived experience, families, caregivers, young people, and communities in shaping more inclusive and responsive mental health systems.

5. 05

   Mental Health Services and Integration

   Supporting the development and integration of accessible, person-centred, community-based, and rights-based mental health services. The Hub will promote coordinated care pathways, stronger connections between health and community services, and approaches that respond to the needs of people across the life course.

6. 06

   Policy Innovation and Implementation

   Supporting evidence-informed policy implementation, cross-sectoral collaboration, and innovative approaches to mental health system strengthening. The Hub will facilitate knowledge exchange, promote the use of data for planning and accountability, and support learning that informs the implementation of the National Mental Health Policy 2026–2035.