Aga Khan Health Service Pakistan has introduced a mental health helpline named ‘Taskeen’ at Aga Khan Medical Center Gilgit. This is an initiative of extraordinary importance in Gilgit-Baltistan regarding mental health.
The aim of its launch is to provide timely access and confidential support for mental health to the people of GB and Chitral.
The helpline has been launched in partnership with Aga Khan Health Service Pakistan, Aga Khan University’s Brain and Mind Institute and ‘Taskeen’, a non-profit charitable organization specializing in mental health awareness and counseling.
The helpline will have trained psychologists from Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral speaking local languages, providing free psychological help and counselling.
An introductory ceremony was held at Agha Medical Center Gilgit regarding the launch of the helpline.
Chief Secretary Gilgit-Baltistan Mohiuddin Wani was the chief guest of the event. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Secretary GB said that mental health problems are generally considered a cause of stigma and there are no safe spaces to help people.
We hope that Taksin Helpline will provide a safe place for people to talk about their problems and get help from trained and experienced people.
The Chief Secretary said that according to records, 220 people committed suicide in Gilgit-Baltistan last year, most of them young people and most of them were killed in Ghazar district. Screening at school level can save some lives. Apart from mental health, there is a need to work for the educational activities of students.
He said that Aga Khan Health Service has done an important work by starting Tasakin Helpline which will be very beneficial for the region.
Speaking on this occasion, Secretary Social Welfare and Women Development Gilgit-Baltistan Fida Hussain said that the work that was supposed to be done by the government institutions has been started by the Aga Khan Health Service, on which we all the institutions of the Aga Khan Health Service and AKDN. Greetings.
He said that important works have been done in Gilgit-Baltistan during the tenure of President Ismaili National Council Hafiz Sher Ali and we will continue to work together in the future.
Addressing the event, Clinical Head Aga Khan Health Service Pakistan Sajid Hussain and CEO Tasin Helpline Irfan Mustafa while briefing the participants said that the latest studies have shown an alarming increase in depression and anxiety in Pakistan. What is it.
According to the World Health Organization, four percent of diseases in Pakistan are related to mental health, and women are disproportionately more affected than men. Women belonging to vulnerable groups are more affected, especially during maternity and adolescence.
About 40 percent of women in Pakistan suffer from depression and anxiety during pregnancy. Similarly, another study conducted in the same area shows that about 40 percent of people who have attempted suicide due to depression or have lost their lives as a result.
He said that in recent years there has been an increase in suicide incidents especially in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral. According to an estimate, 24 million people in Pakistan need psychological help.
He said that the governments of Gilgit-Baltistan and KPK have also expressed concern over this situation and have always provided assistance to deal with the growing mental health crisis. He emphasized the need for cooperation between the government and related welfare organizations regarding mental health.
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