The World Mental Health Day 2021 is celebrated on 10th October every year, and the theme for the 2021 is ‘Mental Health in an unequal world.’ The day is aimed at raising awareness and spreading education about mental health issues across the globe.
Therefore, in light of the day and its theme, Charter for Compassion (CfC) Pakistan launched its first of its kind Ruhbaru Tele-Mental Well-Being Clinic at its Nanakwara Centre in Saddar on 16th October 2021. The Nanakwara Centre is a historical landmark, which was built by Ms. Fatima Jinnah to establish a vocational training center for women. The centre was awarded to CfC to establish a women empowerment centre by the government.
The tele-clinic is to provide counseling sessions to the people in Pakistan through a dedicated UAN number and helpline number that will be available 24/7, in collaboration with the Sindh Mental Health Authority.
Dr. Salman Ahmed, philanthropist and lead guitarist (Junoon), lead the inauguration ceremony. A panel discussion was also held with prominent members of the community to discuss the importance of mental health and how such platforms can help in creating easy access to counseling services for the people of Pakistan.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Salman Ahmed commented: ‘An initiative such as Ruhbaru is a much needed one, as the pandemic has led to a rise in mental health issues all over the world, and its high time that people in Pakistan, especially the underserved communities in the country have an easy and free access to counseling for their well-being.’
Mr. Amin Hashwani, President Charter for Compassion Pakistan, commented: “Charter for Compassion and Ruhbaru is proud to announce the launch of the Ruhbaru Mental Well-Being Tele-Clinic. CfC hopes to create a safe space for the masses by providing mental health awareness sessions and counselling services, and also reach out to the population to promote the concept of mental well-being for people all over Pakistan through this clinic.”
