LAHORE, Oct 10: An Awareness walk was held on Wednesday in connection with the World Mental Health Day under the auspices of the Punjab Institute of Mental Health (PIMH).

Started from the premises of the PIMH to Jilani Park, the walk was led by Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Health Khwaja Salman Rafique. Health Secretary Arif Nadeem, PIMH Executive Director Dr Nusrat Habib Rana, doctors, nurses, civil society and representatives of NGOs besides a large number of patients undergoing treatment at the institution participated in the walk.

Talking to the media at the end of the walk, Salman Rafique said the people suffering from mental problems should never be left alone as this attitude increases in them a sense of deprivation, which further aggravates their condition.

He said the family and society must not consider mentally-retarded persons as burden, but instead should play their effective role in taking steps for their rehabilitation.He said depression was not only an issue of the poor states, but it was even more prevalent in developed countries and was the main cause of suicides at the global level.

The special assistant said religious teachings should be followed for the contentment of mind and heart. He said the walk was an attempt to get attention of society towards this important problem.

Arif Nadeem said the government was paying special attention to the treatment and rehabilitation of the people suffering from mental diseases, along with ensuring provision of modern facilities at the Punjab Institute of Mental Health.

He said it was the need of the hour that people must not leave their dear ones with minor mental problems in these institutions, but instead should treat them with love and affection.

He called upon the families and society to make room, with an open heart, for mentally-challenged persons so that their problems and difficulties did not aggravate. — Staff Reporter