KARACHI: In a landmark health seminar jointly organized by the Karachi Editors Club and DHA SUFFA University, leading mental health professionals, educationists, and media figures came together to advocate for a stronger national focus on mental well-being. The event, held at the university's DHA campus, was presided over by Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Ahmad Saeed Minhas (Brigadier Retired), who delivered the keynote address.
Dr. Minhas emphasized the critical role mental health plays in national development, especially within the Pakistan Armed Forces.
“Psychologists play an essential role not only during recruitment but also throughout a soldier’s service life,” he noted. “Improving the nation’s mental health standard is not just a personal necessity—it’s a strategic priority.”
Prominent mental health professionals Saima Hashim and Dr. Zainab Tufail Arbab delivered compelling addresses that deeply resonated with the audience, particularly students.
Psychotherapist and Life Coach Saima Hashim opened her address by challenging the stigma around mental illness.
“We are living in one of the most emotionally disconnected times in human history,” she said. “We’ve been taught to hide our emotions—to say ‘I’m fine’ when we’re anything but.”
Using a powerful analogy, she compared mental health to a Wi-Fi signal:
“If your mental signal is weak, everything lags—relationships, work, studies, confidence. You must care for your mind the same way you care for your body.”
She urged the younger generation to lead the change: “You don’t need to fix the whole world. Start by fixing the patterns within yourselves—the patterns that ignore emotional pain.”
Dr. Zainab Tufail Arbab, Mental Health and Well-Being Counselor, highlighted society’s tendency to overlook emotional pain.
“If someone breaks their leg, we sign their cast. But if someone’s heart breaks, we expect them to stay silent,” she remarked.
She called for a cultural shift in how mental health is perceived. “Mental wellness is not just about staying positive—it’s about acknowledging pain, understanding it, and seeking healing. Self-compassion, as taught in our faith, must be the foundation.”
She emphasized that seeking therapy is not a sign of weakness but a mark of self-respect. “When I suggest therapy to someone, I’m offering them a safe and unbiased space to process their emotions—to help them realize they are worthy of healing.”
In his welcome remarks, senior journalist and President of the Karachi Editors Club, Mubasher Mir, applauded the collaboration with DHA SUFFA University and praised the speakers for bringing attention to a long-ignored crisis.
Quoting from his recent editorial, he noted:
“Over 50 million Pakistanis face mental health challenges, largely due to rising stress and societal uncertainty. Academic pressures, economic instability, and geopolitical tensions have only worsened the situation.”
He also pointed out the alarming rate of migration:
“Over 4 million Pakistanis have left the country in the last 3 to 4 years—not out of hope, but out of desperation. This is a symptom of a deeper mental health crisis.”
He concluded with a call to action: “Mental well-being must be recognized as a national public health priority.”
The seminar included an interactive Q&A session, during which both Saima Hashim and Dr. Zainab Tufail Arbab responded to audience questions, offering actionable mental health advice and encouragement.
Vice Chancellor Dr. Minhas presented mementos to the speakers and extended his gratitude to all attendees and collaborators for their support and presence.
The event was attended by a distinguished group of individuals from media, academia, and the healthcare community, including:
Manzar Naqvi, Iqbal Jameel, Zulfiqar Shah, Dr. Samreen Amir, Dr. Asfa Zia, Hoor Shumail, Zaira Usmani, Muhammad Ali Fareed, and various other dignatries.
