Mental health help in Pakistan: you don't have to manage this alone.

Pakistan has one of the highest rates of depression and anxiety in the world — and one of the lowest rates of treatment. The gap is not lack of suffering. It's stigma, cost, and not knowing where to go. This page tells you where to go.

What mental health support looks like in Pakistan

• Counselling: talk therapy with a trained counsellor or psychologist
• Psychiatry: medical assessment and medication when indicated
• Crisis support: immediate help when you're in acute distress
• Online therapy: increasingly available and often more accessible

Free and low-cost mental health support

• Rozan Counselling (Islamabad): 051-2890505 — sliding scale fees
• Umang (Nationwide): 0317-4288665 — free helpline
• Fountain House Lahore: mental health rehabilitation
• PIMS Islamabad Psychiatry: 051-9261170 — government hospital
• JPMC Karachi Psychiatry: 021-99201300 — government hospital
• Services Hospital Lahore: 042-99203400

Online therapy options in Pakistan

• Therapy Works Pakistan: therapyworks.com.pk — online and in-person
• Taskeen: taskeen.org — affordable online counselling
• Sehat Kahani: sehat kahani.com — digital health platform with mental health services

Common conditions and what helps

Depression

Characterised by persistent low mood, loss of interest, sleep and appetite changes, difficulty functioning. Treatment: therapy (CBT is most evidence-based), medication when needed, lifestyle — all of which work better combined. Treatable in the majority of cases.

Anxiety

Persistent worry, physical symptoms (racing heart, tight chest), avoidance of feared situations. Treatment: CBT is the gold standard. Often resolves completely with proper treatment.

Trauma / PTSD

After violence, abuse, or other traumatic events — intrusive memories, nightmares, hypervigilance. Specialised trauma therapy (EMDR, trauma-focused CBT) is effective.