MKRF Initiative: MILKAR
Campaign: Mental Health Awareness Campaign
Partners: The Pakistan Mental Health Coalition (PMHC), British Asian Trust (BAT) and numerous organizations providing support to mental health effectees
BACKGROUND
Millions of people in Pakistan experience mental health issues yet 90% of those needing treatment cannot access support. Stigma and poor awareness also mean many people do not seek help. Without support, mental health conditions can have a serious impact on a person’s health and contribute to poverty and exclusion. Pakistan has only approximately 900 psychiatrists and limited psychologists with only a handful of child psychiatrists. We cannot rely on these few professionals to change the landscape of mental health in Pakistan.
SOLUTION
The British Asian Trust in partnership with the Mir Khalil ur Rehman Foundation (MKRF) are coming together for a once in a lifetime opportunity to create a national awareness campaign which will join people together and create a groundswell of public support to tackle mental health stigma, build awareness and help more people access support. The campaign is called Milkar – the Urdu term for joining together.
OBJECTIVES:
- Raise awareness about mental health and reduce stigma about mental illness in Pakistan.
- Promote wellbeing through selfcare, care of family and community mental health.
- Promote access to a range of holistic mental health services.
