Islamabad: (Parliament Times) Riphah International University and Centre for Psychosocial Support (CPS) organized a seminar to observe WHO- World Mental Health Day in order to raise awareness on Mental Health at Workplace. October 10th marks as an anniversary to celebrate World Mental Health Day since 1992. Dr. Munir Mangrio, D.G National Health Emergency Preparedness?and Response Network-NHEPRN graced the occasion as chief guest and highlighted the significance of resilience of emergency service providers. Distinguished speakers including Dr. Rashid Aftab, Director, Riphah Univeristy, Ms Saiqa Raziq, Founder & E.D, Centre for Psychosocial Support, Dr. Aisha Zubair, Assistant ProfessorNIP – Quaid e Azam University, Ms Deeba Shahnaz, Head Community Safety & Information Punjab Emergency Services 1122, Ms Saima Afzal, Educational Consultant, Mr Aamer Ghani Mian, CEO Pro- Solutions, Pvt Ltd. Speaking at the seminar speakers highlighted the mental health concerns an demerging challenges in different walks of life and people all over the world hold events, making announcements while celebrating the day.
Dr Rashid Aftab highlighted that the purpose of celebrating this day is to raise public awareness about importance of mental health, stigma attached and barriers to access mental health service & strengthen support networks.?The guest speakers with diverse professional backgrounds shared valuable thoughts on topics such as?Promoting mental health and well- being, Psychosocial hazards of occupational mental health, Disaster mental health- impacts of crises on ?emergency ?responders, Employees mental health assistance program, emerging mental health needs of school teachers/ children.The speakers defined mental health as a state of well- being in which people realize their own potential, can cope with normal life stressorcan work productively and contribute to their community. Mental disorders affect nearly 15 percent of the World’s population and the situation in Pakistan is also not promising. ?Poor mental health?is one of the leading cause of disabilities. Although the Government and other stakeholders took number of initiatives however the issues related to mental health services are lacking due to ineffective frameworks, human and financial resources constraints and low level of awareness among the communities.
Pakistan is committed to achieve health goal # 3 of UN-SDGs as around 50 million people are suffering from common mental disorders in Pakistan. It was further stressed that a holistic approach to be pursued one fundamental aspect is to create awareness about the issue through the involvement of relevant stakeholders?including Govt, civil society, families / communities and we at individual level.
