KARACHI: The Aga Khan University’s Brain and Mind Institute (BMI) concluded its three-day Global Conference on Brain and Mental Health today at AKU’s Stadium Road campus in Karachi. The event, themed “Building Thriving Communities: Promoting Brain and Mental Health,” brought together leading researchers, clinicians, and policymakers from around the world to discuss how societies can better respond to mental health needs, particularly in the Global South.
The conference featured prominent experts from the University of Liverpool, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR–UK), Imperial College London, and the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Former State Minister of Health, Dr. Zafar Mirza, also addressed participants. Discussions focused on digital mental health, youth and migration, climate and brain health, suicide prevention, dementia, and community-based models of care. Film screenings and performances highlighted personal stories of resilience and recovery.
Dr. Ozioma Okonkwo from the University of Wisconsin–Madison said, “The science of the brain and mind has advanced enormously, but its true value lies in how it can help build healthier, more resilient communities.”
Pakistan faces an urgent mental health crisis, with fewer than 500 psychiatrists serving a population of over 240 million. To address this, AKU’s Brain and Mind Institute, in collaboration with the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), is implementing an Integrated Mental Health Framework. The initiative trains teachers, peers, and health workers to recognize early signs of distress and provide psychosocial support within communities.
Professor Zul Merali, Founding Director of BMI, emphasized, “This conference is about connecting science to real-life challenges and fostering partnerships that create lasting change.”
Reaffirming its mission, BMI continues to advance mental health through research, education, and community engagement under its vision “From Neuron to Neighbourhood.” Professor Dr. Rozina Karmaliani, Associate Director of BMI, concluded, “Progress in brain and mental health depends on collaboration across disciplines and countries — it’s through connection that science truly transforms lives.”
