World Mental Health Day- October 10

A learning Institution in Psychology, the P.G.Department of Psychology of Jammu University decided to celebrate the World Mental Health day in a unique way. First and third semester students of the department did an exemplary work on the day. They made a big mental health tree, the branches of which were filled with different kinds of messages on mental health. They placed it in front of the department not to avoid the eye catchers. It stood in a much visible place so that the passebys read the messages. Students were fabulous at their work. 6 girl students and one boy student wore the T shirts with very good messages on mental health. They decided to grow up in their programs every year.  I was the chief guest to deliver the extension lecture on mental health in the morning session. The Dean of Social Sciences passionately introduced the concept of depression highlighting his personal experiences. I talked about the  growing challenges in counselling to ensure mental health. After the talk, all of us participated in the mental health march in the university. I initiated the slogans and students and teachers loudly repeated them. We finally marched to the VC's office. He came out of his office and  congratulated the HOD and the rest for making the event a fruitful one. The Jammu TV covered the event in a big way. The news papers also gave good coverage for the event.  Students were thrilled to work together to make the day a worthwhile day. In the afternoon, the Psychiatrist delivered a lecture on Depression. We departed with the decision to make the world mental health day more meaningful in the next year. The students blended innovation, novelty and meaningfulness in organising the event. Congratulations for the HOD, faculty members, students, non teachihng staff and particularly the Dean, who was all along with the Departmental activities. He acted more than the role of a figure head. I appreciate his dedication to the mental health day.

We made a distinct and alternative style in our debut group march in popularising awareness for action to integrate mental and physical health for psychological well being, jamming live with meaningful slogans on mental health in the jammu university campus, and creating comfort to overcome the much prevalent social taboo on mental diseases . It was a humble attempt. The march turned to be a successful event from the side of theP.G. department of Psychology. I loved the day. The make over mode became very popular. Let next year bring more ideas, courage and enthusiasm to create more meaningfulness in the events on the World Mental Health Day! October 10 was one of my memorable days  in the Jammu trip.