IMPLEMENTATION OF MENTAL HEALTH POLICY IN PAKISTAN: A DREAM IN SEARCH OF REALITY?

Abstract

Pakistan,

prevention; treatment and rehabilitation through inter-sectoral collaboration

. In the same year, a substance

abuse policy was also formulated which included interventions for both reduction of supply and demand

. Subsequently, a two-phased national mental health plan was developed with an aim to work towards adoption of biopsychosocial model, integration of mental health at all levels of health care, public-private partnership and the promotion of public health approach to health care. These were preceded by a national mental health programme, part of the general health policy of the country, which was formulated in 1986 and got fully implemented in 2001 after the replacement of Lunacy Act 1912 with a new Mental Health Ordinance 2001, in February 2001. 

half a century after independence, became a member of the group of 60% countries of the

world which have a mental health policy, in 1997

. The policy covers areas of advocacy, promotion,