KARACHI: As technology continues to reshape the way mental healthcare is delivered, experts at an international conference stressed that innovation alone cannot address the growing mental health needs of communities unless it is accompanied by ethical practice, compassion and meaningful community engagement.

The message emerged at the 8th Bahria University Health Sciences Campus Karachi (BUHSCK) International Conference 2026, held at the Ibn-e-Sina Auditorium under the theme ‘Innovation in Mental Health: From Technology to Community Empowerment’.

The conference brought together national and international experts, researchers and healthcare practitioners to discuss scalable and inclusive approaches to mental health.

Opening the conference, the BUHSCK director general, retired Vice Admiral Athar Mukhtar highlighted the need to connect advances in digital healthcare with action at the community level, stressing the importance of taking mental health solutions beyond technology and into the communities that need them.

Speaking on the occasion, Salim Habib University Vice Chancellor Prof Syed Irfan Hyder commended the organisers and observed that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and tele-mental health could significantly expand access to mental healthcare.

However, he emphasised that such technologies must be guided by ethics and compassion, particularly when serving people in remote and underserved communities.

The proceedings also drew attention to the mental well-being of those working within the healthcare system itself.

The conference featured scientific paper presentations, expert talks, pre-conference workshops, a poster competition and panel discussions, providing participants with opportunities to exchange research, experiences and perspectives on contemporary mental health challenges.

In his concluding remarks, Bahria University Rector Vice Admiral Abid Hameed emphasised that meaningful progress in mental health requires a balanced integration of innovation, ethical practice and community engagement.

He expressed confidence that the knowledge, discussions and collaborations generated through the conference would help strengthen mental health awareness, education and services in Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2026