Cairo: Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel Ghaffar asserted that mental health is no longer a luxury but a fundamental pillar in building human well-being. He stressed the importance of breaking the stigma surrounding mental illness and promoting a culture of seeking medical support-especially in light of major advances in antidepressant medications and cognitive behavioral therapies, which recent studies have proven effective in improving quality of life and reducing relapse rates.

According to State Information Service Egypt, his remarks came during the launch of the 'Your Health is Happiness' initiative across mental health clinics and hospitals nationwide as part of the state's broader vision to enhance the quality of life and achieve balance between physical and mental health for citizens. The Minister noted that one billion people worldwide suffer from mental health disorders, emphasizing that most of these conditions are treatable with early intervention and appropriate support.

He also announced the introduction of specialized treatment programs for children with autism spectrum disorder, in line with the latest internationally recognized therapeutic protocols.