Updated Jul 07, 2021
Aneeta Pasha
The Pursukoon Zindagi (PSZ) program aims to bridge the mental health delivery gap by increasing demand for services and building capacity for a task-shifting approach that utilizes community health workers to deliver mental health services in under-resourced settings.
The program, established in Karachi in 2004, has treated more than 100,000 individuals, and is expanding to serve a greater number of Karachi’s 20 million residents.
Stage 5: Scaling
The PSZ lay counselling model has been integrated in 20 primary care centres in urban and rural Pakistan in partnership with 3 primary care networks. Since inception in 2014, over 260,000 beneficiaries have been served by the program.
Focus Areas:
Workforce Development, Mental Health, Primary Care and 1 MoreSEE ALL
50,000
Lives Impacted to Date
250,000
Customers
80
Employees
$1,300,000
Funds Raised to Date
Problem
Pakistan has among the highest rates of psychiatric morbidity in the world, with 66% of women reporting symptoms of depression, and 34% of the general population reporting both depression and anxiety (Mirza, 2004). Only 2 psychiatrists are available for every 100,000 people (WHO, 2009). Cultural attitudes and stigmatization is one of the biggest obstacles around mental health. The first step is therefore to recognize the issue and reach out for support.
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Solution
The innovation aims to bridge the mental health delivery gap by increasing demand for services and building capacity for a task-shifting approach that utilizes community health workers to deliver mental health services and awareness in under-resourced settings. Over 100 lay counselors have been trained to provide mental health care services including screening, counselling and referrals. The task-shifting model has been implemented in TB, antenatal, diabetes and primary care programs.
Target Beneficiaries
Residents of under-resourced areas, with a strong focus on providing services to women.
The Team Behind the Innovation
EXECUTIVE TEAM INCLUDES WOMEN
Milestone
Apr 2021
Recognition ReceivedVERIFIED
2021 Winner
Jan 2021
New Product Or Service
GROW - Greater Optimism, Wellness & Resilience is a well-being initiative specifically designed for and delivered to corporations, organizations and institutions.
Feb 2017
New Product Or Service
Developed Integrated Practice Units (IPU) for mental health services within Tuberculosis, Diabetes and Antenatal Care programs
Jan 2014
New Product Or Service
Initiated 2-year community based mental health program in Karachi
Jan 2014
Created
