ISLAMABAD, June 12 (ABC): Pakistan and the Columbia University–World Health Organization (WHO) Centre for Global Mental Health have agreed to expand cooperation on mental health data systems, climate-related mental health research, and implementation of the WHO Flexible Interview for ICD-11 (FLII-11).
The agreement emerged during a meeting in New York between Minister of State for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Dr Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath and Professor Geoffrey M. Reed, Director of the Columbia-WHO Centre for Global Mental Health.
The Pakistani delegation included Dr Syed Usman Hamdani, Founding Director of the Global Institute of Human Development (GIHD) at Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, and Dr Malik Muhammad Safi, Technical Adviser to the Ministry of National Health Services.
National dashboard to strengthen mental health planning
The participants discussed plans to develop a national mental health data dashboard for Pakistan. The platform will use data generated through FLII-11 and connect with the country’s health information systems.
According to participants, reliable mental health data can help policymakers design better programmes and reduce service gaps. It can also improve planning, monitoring, and resource allocation.
Moreover, the proposed dashboard will support evidence-based policymaking and strengthen mental health governance across the country.
FLII-11 expected to improve mental health surveillance
The meeting reviewed the development of FLII-11, a structured diagnostic interview aligned with ICD-11 standards.
Officials said the tool can generate nationally representative mental health estimates. In addition, it can strengthen psychiatric epidemiology and improve surveillance systems.
They noted that FLII-11 can help assess unmet mental healthcare needs and track service utilisation. As a result, policymakers will have stronger evidence for investment and planning decisions.
Climate and mental health receive greater attention
A major part of the discussion focused on the Climate Impact Module within FLII-11.
Participants explored how population-level data can help Pakistan understand the mental health effects of climate-related events. They also discussed ways to identify vulnerable populations and improve policy responses.
Furthermore, they highlighted opportunities to integrate Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) services into climate adaptation strategies, emergency preparedness programmes, and humanitarian response systems.
Pakistan advances ICD-11 implementation efforts
The meeting also reviewed ongoing work led by Dr Syed Usman Hamdani and GIHD to translate, culturally adapt, and validate FLII-11 for Pakistan.
The initiative aims to support ICD-11 implementation and strengthen national mental health surveillance. At the same time, it seeks to integrate modern assessment tools into existing health systems.
Both sides agreed to continue technical consultations and prepare a roadmap for adaptation, validation, implementation, and policy translation of FLII-11.
Invitation extended for World Mental Health Day 2026
Dr Bharath reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to evidence-informed policymaking. He said strong data systems will play a key role in implementing the forthcoming National Mental Health Policy.
Additionally, he said the systems will support the proposed National Hub of Excellence for Mental Health and help build climate-resilient mental health services.
The minister also invited Professor Reed to participate in World Mental Health Day 2026 in Islamabad on October 1-2. The event will focus on the theme, “Building Climate-Resilient and Future-Ready Mental Health Systems for Children and Young People.”
Professor Reed accepted the invitation and welcomed continued engagement with Pakistan’s mental health reform agenda.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to continue cooperation on scalable mental health data systems. Participants said the initiative can support national priorities while contributing to global mental health research and learning.
