Mental health is an essential part of overall well-being, yet many people in Pakistan continue to face barriers to seeking and receiving care. Pur Umeed Zindagi, the flagship Mental Health Programme of Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN), is working to bridge this gap by integrating free mental health services into primary healthcare.

The programme follows a community-based lay counselling model, enabling trained non-specialist health workers to support people experiencing common mental health concerns such as depression and anxiety. This approach makes care more accessible while helping communities recognise mental health as an important part of healthcare.

Pur Umeed Zindagi uses a two-tiered model of care. Mental Health Officers and lay counsellors provide screening, assessment, counselling, and follow-up at the community level. Patients requiring more specialised support can be referred to psychologist-led clinics for further assessment and care.

The programme also extends services beyond the clinic. Community awareness sessions, outreach activities, and teleconsultations help reach people in underserved and remote communities, including areas of Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, and Karachi.

An important part of this work is building local capacity. Mental health workers receive training in basic counselling and areas such as stress management, postpartum depression, and care for older adults.

Through Pur Umeed Zindagi, IHHN is bringing mental health care closer to communities, challenging stigma, and creating pathways to support for people who may otherwise go without care.