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Pakistan has announced a substantial PKR 328 billion allocation for the health sector in the 2025–26 federal budget. On the surface, this looks like a very positive development for public health. But when we look more carefully, an important question arises: Is mental health being given the priority it deserves?
At MindCare.pk, we believe healthcare must include the entire person — not just physical illness, but psychological well-being, emotional balance, and mental resilience. Sadly, mental health continues to be treated as a secondary issue, even though its impact on society is enormous.
In this blog, we take a deeper look at Pakistan's 2025–26 budget from a mental health perspective and explain why mental well-being must become a national priority.
The federal government's PKR 328 billion allocation includes multiple health initiatives, from disease prevention to hospital upgrades. Compared with previous budgets, this reflects a stronger commitment to healthcare.
However, this allocation still represents only about 1% of the total budget. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends countries invest much more in healthcare — ideally 5% of GDP. Pakistan spends only around 1% of its GDP on health, which remains one of the lowest rates in the region.
And when it comes to mental health, the situation is even more challenging.
Although Pakistan has increased its overall health spending, mental health receives less than 0.5% of the total health budget — one of the lowest allocations in the world.
This creates several major problems:
With around 60 million Pakistanis suffering from mental health issues, this level of investment is not enough. (For a deeper look, see our post on the mental health crisis in Pakistan.)
Some people ask a simple question:
"With so many pressing health issues, why should we invest in mental health?"
The answer lies in how deeply mental health affects every aspect of daily life.
When people struggle with depression, anxiety, or stress, their ability to work, study, and function decreases.
Conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension often worsen due to chronic emotional stress. Mental well-being is essential for overall health.
Untreated mental health conditions lead to higher long-term medical costs, more hospital visits, and greater healthcare burden.
Poor mental health can lead to broken relationships, domestic issues, poor parenting, and social isolation.
Suicide is a growing public health issue in Pakistan. Investment in mental health saves lives.
The WHO has estimated that every $1 invested in scaling up treatment for depression and anxiety returns approximately $4 in improved productivity and health outcomes. This means mental health investment is not a cost — it is an economic opportunity.
A mentally healthy nation is more productive, more resilient, more peaceful, and more capable of achieving long-term progress. Pakistan cannot fully develop without addressing the emotional and psychological well-being of its citizens.
If Pakistan wants a healthier and stronger future, mental health must be included as a core part of every health budget.
Key recommendations include:
Allocate at least 5% of the health budget to mental health services.
Currently, most mental health support is only available in major cities. Every district needs at least one mental health facility.
Family doctors, general physicians, and primary healthcare centers should be trained to identify and treat mental health issues.
Anxiety, depression, and behavioral issues are common in children and adolescents. Schools must have counselors, mental health awareness sessions, and mental wellness programs.
Pakistan needs more psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors, therapists, and social workers.
National awareness campaigns can help people talk openly about mental health, reduce shame, and encourage them to seek support. This is one of the biggest barriers we cover in breaking the stigma around mental health in Pakistan.
Platforms like MindCare.pk show that digital mental health support can reach millions of people, especially in remote areas.
At MindCare.pk, we believe every Pakistani deserves access to safe, confidential, and affordable mental health care. Our team of licensed psychologists provides:
Our goal is to bridge the gap left by underfunded public services and provide dependable emotional support to individuals and families across Pakistan.
The Pakistan 2025–26 budget is a step in the right direction for health, but it is not enough. As a nation, we must move toward a more balanced healthcare approach — one that includes the mind as well as the body.
Mental health is not a luxury. It is a basic human need. When people are mentally healthy, they raise stronger children, build better families, contribute more to their communities, and help create a more compassionate society.
The government has an important role to play. But so do we — as individuals, professionals, media platforms, and mental health advocates. Every conversation, every awareness campaign, and every act of support helps break the silence around mental health.
Pakistan cannot achieve true progress if millions of its citizens continue to suffer silently. A stronger, healthier nation starts with recognizing the mental well-being of its people.
At MindCare.pk, we remain committed to supporting individuals, families, and communities through professional, affordable, and stigma-free mental health services. If you or someone you love needs support, an online psychologist in Pakistan is only a few clicks away — book a confidential session whenever you're ready.
