KARACHI: In a move to address the silent crisis of stress and burnout in medical education, the Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU) has launched a facility to help students cope with psychological issues.

The launch also saw the signing of a university-wide Wellness Pledge, organised in connection with the International Wellness Day 2026.

The initiative is led by Distinguished National Prof M. Iqbal Afridi, in collaboration with the Internal Medicine Interest Group (SMC-JSMU), under the theme ‘Integrating Joy and Sustainable Health Practices into Daily Life.’

“In today’s fast-paced world, especially in the field of medicine, stress is normalised, burnout is overlooked, and exhaustion is often silently endured,’ said Prof Afridi. He added that a growing number of Pakistani university students suffered from depression.

Senior psychologist Dr Yasmeen Khan led an interactive session on mindfulness and breathing exercises, while Dr Muhammad Khan, Director IPTR-JSMU, demonstrated physical exercises specifically designed to alleviate stress.

Providing context to the urgency of the initiative, global evidence indicates that most mental health disorders begin before the age of 24, while nearly 40 per cent of young people experience depression before the age of 20, placing university students within a critical risk window.

Commending the initiative, JSMU Vice Chancellor Prof Amjad Siraj Memon stated: “The JSMU Health and Wellness Centre is opening for the first time. Our students and faculty will have direct, on-campus access to psychiatric and psychological care. We are ensuring that no one suffers in silence.”

Prof Afridi added, “This Wellness Centre is not just a facility. It is a promise. With psychiatrists and psychologists from Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) holding dedicated clinics exclusively for JSMU students and faculty, we are offering confidential, stigma-free mental health support. Healing begins at home.”

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2026