Peshawar – Provincial Minister for Health Khaliq Ur Rehman, Secretary Health Shahidullah Khan, and Director General Health Services Dr. Shaheen Afridi attended a ceremony where appointment letters were distributed to 32 newly recruited psychologists under the Secondary Health Care Revamp Program, marking a significant step toward improving mental health services across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The newly appointed psychologists will be deployed at District Headquarters Hospitals (DHQs) throughout the province to ensure the provision of timely and quality mental health services at the district level.This initiative is expected to reduce the need for patients to travel to major cities for treatment and enable them to access professional care within their own districts.
Welcoming the newly recruited psychologists, the Provincial Health Minister congratulated them and urged them to perform their duties with honesty, dedication, and a strong spirit of public service.
He emphasized that the recruitment process was conducted with complete transparency and strictly on merit, adding that the selected candidates had reached this position based on their competence and capability.He expressed hope that they would prove to be valuable assets to the Health Department.
Highlighting the importance of mental health, the minister noted that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has endured decades of conflict, displacement, and natural disasters, which have contributed to a high burden of psychological stress across the population. He pointed out that the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remains significant, while many patients still lack access to proper diagnosis and treatment.
He further stated that Mental Health Desks being established at DHQs will provide a structured entry point for patients, ensuring screening services, counseling in a safe and dignified environment, particularly for women and youth and improved referral systems.In addition, district level data collection will support evidence-based policymaking in the future.
Reaffirming the provincial government’s commitment to promoting mental health awareness, the minister announced the launch of a comprehensive public awareness campaign tailored to the socio cultural context of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Religious scholars and community elders will be engaged to help reduce stigma and promote mental well being as an essential component of overall health and resilience.
Special focus will also be placed on youth through awareness campaigns in schools, colleges, and on social media platforms to ensure early understanding and timely guidance for the younger generation.Concluding the ceremony, the minister extended his best wishes to the newly appointed psychologists and encouraged them to continue improving their professional skills while upholding high ethical standards and serving the public with commitment and compassion.