Peaceful Life (Pursakoon Zindagi)

Launched in 2014, IRD’s Pursukoon Zindagi (Peaceful Life) program delivers community-based mental health services through a stepped-care, task-sharing model. Trained lay counselors — recruited from the communities they serve — provide support for mild to moderate mental health conditions, while individuals requiring specialized care are referred to clinical psychologists.

Mental health services are delivered through Wellness Centres embedded within primary and public health facilities, supported by locally developed digital tools that enable screening, case management, and follow-up. The program also operates mental health helplines and provides person-centered care for conditions such as depression, anxiety, and psychosis.

Pursukoon Zindagi focuses on building local capacity, reducing stigma, and expanding access to care in low-resource settings. Since its inception, the program has screened over 320,000 individuals, enrolled more than 15,000 people in psychosocial counseling, and provided helpline support to over 44,000 individuals. Through its scalable and cost-effective approach, the program has demonstrated a practical model for reducing the mental health treatment gap in Pakistan.