Peshawar: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has ordered the deployment of 32 psychologists under its Secondary Healthcare Revamp Program, marking a significant step toward improving access to mental health services at the district level.
According to official details, the newly recruited psychologists will be posted at District Headquarters Hospitals (DHQs) across the province to provide essential mental health care closer to communities.
The announcement was made at a ceremony attended by Provincial Health Minister Khaliq-ur-Rehman, Health Secretary Shahidullah Khan and Director General Health Services Dr. Shaheen Afridi. Appointment letters were formally distributed to the newly inducted professionals.
Speaking on the occasion, the health minister said that the placement of psychologists in DHQs would ensure the availability of timely and quality mental health services at the district level, reducing the need for patients to travel to major urban centres for treatment. He emphasised that the recruitment process was conducted transparently and strictly on merit.
He urged the newly appointed psychologists to carry out their responsibilities with integrity, dedication and a strong sense of public service, adding that they would serve as a valuable asset to the provincial health system.
Highlighting the growing mental health burden in the province, the minister noted that decades of militancy, displacement, and natural disasters have led to a rise in psychological disorders. He stressed the urgent need for early diagnosis and treatment, particularly for conditions such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which are affecting a large segment of the population.
Under the initiative, dedicated mental health desks will be established in DHQs to facilitate screening, counselling and an effective referral system. The program also aims to ensure that women and youth can access services in a safe and dignified environment. Additionally, data collected at the district level will support evidence-based policymaking in the future.
The minister further announced that the government will launch a comprehensive public awareness campaign on mental health. Religious scholars and community elders will be engaged to help reduce social stigma associated with mental health issues.
He added that targeted awareness campaigns for youth will be conducted through schools, colleges, and social media platforms to promote early guidance and mental health literacy among the younger generation.
