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Young people in Pakistan face a range of mental health challenges, including stress, depression, and self-harm, that are often influenced by their home environments. Traditional parenting norms that emphasize strict discipline and authority can make it difficult for youth to speak openly or seek emotional support. 

When communication is limited and emotional needs go unmet, youth are more vulnerable to distress and may lack the tools to build healthy relationships. Promoting positive parenting approaches, centred on empathy, listening, and mutual respect, can strengthen family bonds and support youth mental health. 

What we’re funding in Pakistan

Proof-of-concept funding:

Proof-of-concept (POC) funding up to $250,000 CAD will be awarded to early-stage projects that can implement, test and refine solutions to country-specific personal, social, and/or environmental factors impacting young people’s mental health and wellbeing in one of the 12 countries.

In Pakistan, we seek bold Proof-of-Concept ideas to strengthen family functioning. These innovative solutions should focus on addressing strict parenting styles and a lack of parental support. 

Transition-to-scale funding:

Transition-to-scale (TTS) funding between $300,000 CAD and $1,500,000 CAD will be awarded to support tested mental health promotion and prevention approaches that align with country-specific priorities along their scaling journey to help catalyze their sustainability and impact.

In Pakistan, we seek bold Transition-to-scale ideas to strengthen family functioning. These innovative solutions should focus on addressing strict parenting styles and a lack of parental support. 

Ecosystem catalyst funding:

Ecosystem catalyst (EC) funding between $200,000 CAD and $300,000 CAD will be awarded to organizations that can address priority barriers to scale, such as legislation, evidence, coordination, and mobilize demand to help mental health initiatives succeed and grow in one of 12 priority countries.

In Pakistan, we’re funding EC proposals that can convene national-level stakeholders from different ministries, as well as non-government organizations, to increase their commitment, create demand and resource mobilization for youth mental health promotion and preventive approaches.   

Funded Innovations

Group of diverse youth hands joined

Building the ecosystem for youth mental health and wellbeing in Pakistan

Implementing Organization: British Asian Trust

Type: Ecosystem Catalyst

Location: Pakistan

Status: Funded

Classroom interior featuring neatly arranged wooden desks and chairs with blue accents and cushioned seats. The setting is well-lit, highlighting the uniform arrangement and orderly appearance. The flooring is a speckled tile, adding to the bright and clean atmosphere. Desks are aligned in multiple rows, suggesting a traditional educational environment. Overall, the space appears organized and conducive to learning activities.

PREVENT

Implementing Organization: Global Institute for Human Development

Type: Transition-to-Scale

Location: Pakistan

Thematic Area(s): Peer-based

Status: Funded

Partners in Parenting (PiP)

Implementing Organization: Pakistan Institute of Living & Learning (PILL)

Type: Proof-of-Concept

Location: Karachi and Islamabad, Pakistan

Thematic Area(s): Digital

Status: Funded

WINGS: School Wellbeing Program

Implementing Organization: Taskeen Health Initiative

Type: Proof-of-Concept

Location: Karachi and Islamabad, Pakistan

Thematic Area(s): Service Delivery, Digital

Status: Funded