BAJAUR: A seminar on mental health and therapy counselling was held here the other day to raise awareness among the youth about the causes of mental health-related diseases.

Organised by the local youth affairs department in collaboration with the district administration, the session was aimed to educate youth about mental healthcare, mental health disorders and their causes, promoting emotional well-being and resilience among them, according to a statement issued here.

The statement said that scores of youth belonging to different areas of the district participated in the seminar held at Bajaur Sports Complex.

Experts, including district youth officer Fawad Ahmed and senior psychologist Dr Anwar Ali, informed the participants about the common mental disorders and their possible causes.

They noted that generalised anxiety disorder, (causing excessive worry, fear and anxiety); panic disorder’ social anxiety (fear of social situation), phobias (irrational fears of specific objects or situations); schizophrenia (alternating episodes of mania and depressions), and borderline personality disorder were the main types of mental diseases in the world.

About the causes of the mental disorders, the participants were told that life experiences, stress, depression and distorted thoughts, perceptions and behaviours were among the main reasons.

The experts told the participants that a combination of self-help strategies, exercise, engaging in positive and joyful activities, professional treatment and support were the best possible ways to overcome the mental disorders.

Moreover, they said building a support network of friends and keeping close attachments with family members and relatives and engaging in stress-reducing activities like reading, listening to music and avoiding substance abuse were imperative to maintain the mental health.

Published in Dawn, February 14th, 2025