Health Department prepares mental health action plan

Lahore: Director General Health Punjab Dr. Zahid Pervaiz has said that on the instructions of Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Health Department has prepared a comprehensive mental health action plan on which Rs.200 million would be spent. He said that mental health care is a joint responsibility of the government, private sector, NGOs, civil society and more the families. He said that a collaborate of all these stakeholders need work hand-in-hand in order to prevent mental illness and rehabilitation of the affected persons.
He expressed these views while addressing a function in Punjab Institute of Mental Health arranged in connection with the World Mental Health Day, here today. Medical Superintendent Dr. Nasir Bhatti, Psychiatrists, Dr. Tahir Pervaiz, Dr. Irum Bukhari, Friends of PIMH, representatives of NGOs, civil society, doctors, nurses and inmates of the institute participated in the function. Dr. Zahid Pervaiz said that government has established Provincial Taskforce for Prevention& Control of Non Communicable Diseases and Mental Health which meets regularly to continually monitor the progress on development and piloting interventions. He said that Health Department developed Mental Health Gap Intervention Guide to provide an evidence based framework to bridge the treatment gap for priority mental health conditions in the community-based settings with substantial resources.
Addressing the meeting, the psychiatrists said that respect to others is essential for mental and physical health and 50 percent physical health problems can be reduced by resolving psychiatric issues. They said that this year, the theme of World Mental Health Day is “Dignity in Mental Health”. MS Dr. Nasir Bhatti informed about the health facilities as well as boarding and lodging provided to the persons suffering from mental diseases and psychiatric problems. The inmates of the Institute sung ghazals and lyrics of renowned artistes and presented flute and other performances which were highly appreciated by the participants of the functions.