World Mental Health Day observed at SKIMS MCH Bemina

Srinagar, Oct 10: The Advanced Center for Mental Health and Addiction Medicine at SKIMS MCH Bemina observed World Mental Health Day on Thursday with a focus on the theme ‘It is Time to Prioritise Mental Health in the Workplace’.

Organised by the Postgraduate Department of Psychiatry in collaboration with the Department of Community Medicine, the event aimed to shed light on stress management in professional settings.

Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Dr Nizamuddin, led the session with an insightful presentation on stress assessment. He highlighted the various stressors commonly faced by employees and introduced effective coping strategies to manage workplace stress.

"Mental health in the workplace is often overlooked, yet it is crucial for both employee well-being and organizational productivity," he said.

The session also included a live demonstration of relaxation techniques by the psychology team, represented by Nazia and Kounser, who offered practical tools for attendees to manage their stress.

Among the attendees were healthcare providers from the institute, who were joined by dignitaries such as the Head of the Department of Community Medicine, Dr Ashfaq and the Head of the Department of Pathology Dr J B Singh.

Both speakers emphasised the importance of integrating mental health practices into daily routines and reiterated the need for regular sessions like these to promote both patient care and self-care among healthcare workers.

In a unanimous decision, it was agreed that similar workshops and sessions would be held regularly to ensure continued support for mental health within the institution.

The event concluded with a shared commitment to creating a healthier, more supportive work environment for all.

The initiative reflects the ongoing efforts of SKIMS MCH to prioritise mental well-being alongside physical health, underscoring the critical role mental health plays in both professional and personal life.

Similar programmes were conducted by Prof Abdul Majid HOD of Advanced Mental Health and Addiction Medicine at SKIMS Soura.