Islamabad (Web Desk): World Mental Health Day is being observed today (Thursday) across the globe including Pakistan.
This year's theme of the day is “Mental Health at Work".
The day is being observed to highlight the vital connection between mental health and work.
Marking the day, President Asif Ali Zardari launched the National Mental Health Helpline 1166, which underlines government's dedication to provide accessible support.
In a message on World Mental Health Day, he said Pakistan is proud to be the country to develop a cost-benefit package for essential health services including mental health interventions at primary healthcare and community levels.
Asif Ali Zardari encouraged everyone to adopt healthier lifestyle and engage in regular physical activity to manage stress and anxiety.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health disorders affect one in four people at some point in their lives. The COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the need for mental health support, as many individuals have experienced increased anxiety, depression, and isolation.
World mental health day was first organized on October 10, 1992, by World Federation for Mental Health, a global mental health organization having a presence in more than 150 countries. The initiative was proposed by Richard Hunter, Deputy Secretary General of the World Federation for Mental Health, in 1992.
Till 1994 the day was observed without any specific theme; it was mainly focused on educating people about the general issues of mental health. Later in 1994, based on Eugene Brody suggestions, then Secretary General of the World Federation for Mental Health, the day was celebrated based on the theme and the theme for the year 1994 was "Improving the Quality of Mental Health Services throughout the World".
Since then, World Federation for Mental Health has announced a particular theme to promote and educate people about mental health issues, its preventions and supports to create a better opportunity for mentally affected people.
