Huma Kanwal Atta

Meet Huma Kanwal Atta from Peshawar.

Huma Kanwal Atta is a Clinical Psychologist, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) expert, and Head of the Department of Public Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences at Khyber Medical University. Described as the department's first and youngest head, she focuses on strengthening mental health services and making psychosocial support more accessible to vulnerable communities.

Over the past six years, Huma has spearheaded disaster-response psychology initiatives across flood-affected districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Her efforts have helped establish structured psychosocial care pathways for survivors of gender-based violence, women, and children, addressing mental health needs in communities affected by crises.

She currently serves as Principal Investigator for a flagship UNICEF-funded, school-based mental health project in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Through this work, she contributes to strengthening mental health support in educational settings and developing more sustainable systems of care.

• Certified Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapist
• Master Trainer in mental health interventions
• Former UN Women consultant
• 2025 Peace Research Fellow at Mahidol University
• Principal Investigator for UNICEF-funded school mental health projects

Huma is also a certified Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapist, as well as a Master Trainer. Her professional development includes a fully funded scholarship for a three-month Certificate Course in Mental Health in Emergencies at Fordham University in the United States.

Her experience extends to national and international initiatives. She is a former UN Women consultant and was selected as a 2025 Peace Research Fellow at Mahidol University in Thailand. These experiences reflect her commitment to advancing mental health knowledge and practice across different communities and settings.

Pakistan Ki Shaan proudly recognizes Huma Kanwal Atta for her leadership in public mental health and her efforts to expand psychosocial support for vulnerable communities across Pakistan.