Dr Pechuho calls for compassionate mental health care on World Mental Health Day 2025

Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho stresses universal access to mental health support in Sindh

KARACHI: Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho marked World Mental Health Day 2025 by emphasizing that mental health is as vital as physical health and must be prioritized across all communities.

In her video message, Dr Pechuho said that mental health influences how people think, feel, and live their daily lives, underscoring the need to treat it with equal importance as physical well-being.

“Mental health affects how we think, feel, and live our daily lives – and it deserves our care and attention,” she stated.

The health minister acknowledged that in Sindh, many individuals — particularly young people, women, and frontline workers — experience stress, anxiety, and depression, often suffering in silence due to social stigma.

Strengthening Sindh’s mental health services

Dr Pechuho reaffirmed the Government of Sindh’s commitment to improving access to mental health care across the province. She said the government is strengthening services in public health facilities, integrating mental health support in primary care, and training healthcare professionals to respond with empathy and sensitivity.

She also highlighted the importance of ongoing initiatives such as the Pakistan Mental Health Coalition and awareness campaigns like “Milkar”, which aim to make mental health care accessible, inclusive, and stigma-free.

“This year’s theme, ‘Mental Health Is A Universal Human Right,’ reminds us that everyone, regardless of age, gender, or background, deserves access to quality mental health care,” she noted.

Promoting awareness and encouraging help-seeking

Dr Pechuho urged people facing mental health challenges to seek help without hesitation. She emphasized that reaching out for support is a sign of strength, not weakness.

“Let us stand together to build a society that supports mental well-being — where no one feels ashamed to ask for help and everyone has the care they need,” she concluded.

Watch the video message here:

CLICK HERE TO WATCH on YouTube: Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho’s message on World Mental Health Day 2025