KARACHI, Nov 26: Speakers at a seminar held in connection with the World Mental Health Day on Sunday stressed the need for increasing public awareness about mental illness and reducing the factors that increased stress.
Each year the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) and World Health Organisation (WHO) celebrate the World Mental Health Day on 10th of October. However, the Pakistan Association for Mental Health (PAMH) could not observe the day due to Ramazan and delayed it till November, said a press release.
The PAMH celebrations were divided into two major events, exhibition of stalls by various pharmaceutical companies and launching of a PAMH publication on the theme of this year’s mental health day, ie “Mental health in a changing world: the impact of culture and diversity” and a session for scientific presentations by experts on the subject. The events were held at the Expo Centre.
Dr Pirzada Qasim, the vice-chancellor of the University of Karachi, who inaugurated the events, in his remarks laid emphasis on the need for collective efforts by people from all walks of life towards creating awareness about mental illnesses and promotion of better understanding of mental health.
Prof S. Haroon Ahmed, the president of PAMH, gave a brief introduction of the association and its current activities, while PAMH General-Secretary Dr Mohammad Suleman presented vote of thanks.
During the scientific session, Dr Patricia Omidian, Medical Anthropologist and a faculty member of the AKU spoke on “Culturally sensitive approach to health”. Mr Arif Hasan, an expert in city planning, spoke on “The impact of urbanisation on social behaviours”, while Dr Manzoor Ahmed discussed the impacts of culture and diversity on human behaviour.
Prof Haroon Ahmed concluded the session, with the summary that the identity crises and fear leading to insecurity and intolerance were major factors in increasing stress.
The mental health day celebrations culminated in a musical performance by a ghazal singer, Salman Alvi.
