Taskeen Health Initiative (Taskeen) and AKU’s Brain and Mind Institute (BMI) signed an MOU on 28th-October-21 at Taskeen’s office. The MOU signing ceremony was attended by:
1.) Dr. Zul Merali, Director BMI 2.) Diana MacKay, Global Practice Lead, Institute Development and Operations 3.) Dr. Taha Sabri, Chief Operating Officer, Taskeen 4.) Arshad Anis, Director, Taskeen 5.) Dr. Rubeena Kidwai, Advisor, Taskeen
Taskeen and BMI aim to work together to fill gaps in national mental health research, service delivery capacity and implementation science. There was a robust discussion on how experiences of communities and people with lived experiences are important to produce and execute effective mental health programs. Engaging national influencers like sports personalities to become champions for mental health awareness was identified as an important strategy to spread the message as they do influence the local community more effectively. There was also an emphasis on engaging governmental institutions to address structural problems in the regulation and delivery of mental healthcare.
BMI and Taskeen look forward to working together to improve the mental health landscape in Pakistan.