Join the Movement Promote Mental Health Awareness
Mental health shapes every aspect of our lives, our emotions, our relationships, our ability to work, and our hope for the future. Yet in Pakistan, millions silently battle psychological struggles with no support, no voice, and no access to care. From financial instability to broken family systems, the burden on mental well-being is growing by the day. It doesn’t matter whether the trigger is economic or emotional, mental health affects us all.
April 2025 is Stress Awareness Month, a powerful reminder to advocate for those suffering in silence and to treat mental health as the urgent public health issue it truly is. It’s also a time to spotlight changemakers like the Patients’ Aid Foundation, a non-profit devoted to offering free, high-quality healthcare to the most vulnerable in our communities.
A Deepening Mental Health Crisis in Pakistan
Mental health is a serious concern in Pakistan. According to Cambridge 2023, as much as 10% of the population is affected by mental health disorders, which translates to nearly 20 million people. These individuals are battling conditions such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and addiction, often in silence.
According to Dawn 2022, tragically, more than 90% of them never receive any form of professional treatment. With fewer than 500 psychiatrists serving a population of over 220 million, access to medical care is staggeringly limited.
The reasons are many: joblessness, poverty, trauma, political instability, domestic violence, and a deeply ingrained stigma against mental illness. But the most devastating reason of all? The simple fact that treatment is just not accessible or affordable for most people.
Department of Psychiatry at JPMC; A Ray of Hope for the marginalized community
In the midst of this crisis, the Patients’ Aid, which operates within Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) in Karachi, has proven to be a vital lifeline. Responding to the dire need for specialized mental health services, Patients’ Aid with support of Soorty Foundation took a bold and visionary step and built a state-of-the-art Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Sciences at JPMC, one of Pakistan’s largest public hospitals.
Inaugurated in January 2024, this 120,000 square foot facility spans four floors and is designed to deliver comprehensive, free mental health care, accessible to anyone who walks through its doors.
What This Facility Offers
This isn’t just a building. It’s a place where healing begins, where silence is broken, and where hope is restored.
- Outpatient Services: 17 consulting rooms catering to a diverse range of psychiatric conditions.
- Inpatient Facilities: Separate 35-bed units for children, women, and men, ensuring specialized care.
- Addiction Treatment: A dedicated 35-bed unit for addiction rehabilitation.
- Professional Resources: 10 consultant rooms, doctor offices, and conference rooms for case studies and research.
- Pharmacy: An on-site pharmacy to provide free, essential psychiatric medication
This department was built to restore dignity to mental health care and provide a safe space for recovery, no matter your background or financial condition. Click here to be a part of this mission and contribute to a noble cause.
Impact That Speaks Volumes
Within just the first six months, from January to June 2024, the psychiatry department treated 20,695 patients. That’s nearly 115 people every day who were able to find help, healing, and hope, because someone like you chose to support this cause. Click here to donate now.
Each of these individuals might otherwise have suffered in silence. Instead, they were met with care, compassion, and the promise of a second chance.
Comprehensive Mental Health Support Through Therapy, Counseling & Psychiatric Care at JPMC
At Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Patients’ Aid is committed to ensuring that every individual struggling with a mental health condition receives the compassionate care and professional treatment they truly deserve. Through personalized therapy sessions, psychological counseling, and psychiatric care, we provide a safe and supportive environment where patients can heal, grow, and thrive.
In addition to one-on-one therapy, JPMC also offers group therapy, medication management, crisis intervention, and rehabilitation programs tailored to the unique needs of patients struggling with stress management, suicidal thoughts, depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.
At JPMC, mental health is just as important as physical health. There is no shame in seeking help. It’s about time to break the stigma because mental health is not a taboo. With the right support and guidance, recovery is not only possible, it’s achievable. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health conditions, it’s time to take action. Join us to get the treatment and support you need.
At JPMC, we believe in treating every patient with dignity, respect, and equality, assuring them that they are not alone in their journey. Our goal is to help individuals reclaim their lives with confidence and resilience.
Why Can’t We Afford to Wait?
Every moment we delay addressing mental health, we risk losing more lives to depression, addiction, and suicide. We risk watching more children fall out of school, more families collapse under emotional strain, and more communities suffer in silence.
But the solution is within reach. By supporting Patients’ Aid, you’re not just donating to a hospital or NGO in Pakistan, you’re helping someone reclaim their life. Your generosity could bring hope to mental health patients, strength to those fighting cancer, relief to dialysis patients, and safe beginnings for mothers and newborns.
Every contribution is a second chance, for a mother to raise her child, for a father to return home, for a student to chase their dreams. You’re not just giving financial aid; you’re giving life, love, and hope.
Be the Reason Someone Heals
Your generosity could be the turning point in someone’s life. Here’s how you can help:
- Donate: Every contribution, big or small, goes directly into treatment, medicine, and care for patients who can’t afford it. Click here to become a part of our “Roz ka Saqda” initiative to heal Karachi and beyond.
- Spread the word: Make sure to share this blog in your surroundings to help break the stigma. Let others know that help is available, and they are not alone.
- Partner with Purpose: Whether you’re part of a business, school, or community group, there are powerful ways to join our mission or volunteer and make a difference.
Let’s Come Together and Reimagine a Kinder Future
We envision a Pakistan where mental healthcare is a fundamental right, not a luxury. A place where no one feels ashamed to seek help, where families can access the support they need, and where healing is embraced, not hidden.
But we can’t make this vision a reality without you.
Mental health is a vital part of public health, yet it remains one of the most neglected. Every day, people silently battle mental health conditions, unable to speak about their pain, let alone seek help, and are left to struggle alone. These aren’t just struggles; they are lives waiting for hope.
In this tough time, Patients’ Aid is leading the effort to transform mental healthcare in Pakistan. But meaningful change takes all of us. Your generous contribution can make a lasting impact. Be the reason someone finds hope when they need it most.
Donate now. Help Patients’ Aid bring healing and a second chance at life.
