Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Oct 11: Father Muller Medical College(FMMC) observed World Mental Health Day, the theme for which was ‘making mental health a global priority: scaling up services through citizen advocacy and action’, on Friday October 10.
A meeting was convened in the conference hall of the institute, which started with a prayer. Dr Krishnamurthy from the department of psychiatry, FMMC, welcomed the gathering. He addressed the audience about the need for public awareness on mental health - the stigmas and customs attached to it.
Fr Denis D’sa, FMMC administrator, spoke on the increased anxieties and tensions being faced by the people in today’s world.
The keynote address was delivered by Fr Patrick Rodriguez, director of Father Mullers Charitable Institutions, who had just been back from his visit to USA. He spoke on the “advocacy groups” in the USA, which provide a strong social support for patients suffering from various ailments. He spoke of the necessity of family support as well as the social help required for the mentally challenged.
The winners of the UG psychiatry quiz held on September 21, which happened to be the World Alzheimer’s Day, were announced and cash prizes awarded thereof.
The chief guest, Sunney Tharappan, Director, College for Leadership and Human Resource Development, Mangalore, gave a comprehensive speech on the theme for the day, ‘Citizen Advocacy and Action’. He described the social dimensions of mental illness, giving an insight into the minds of the mentally ill and the way they perceive life. Every human, he said, needs adequate channels to express his or her feelings and sufficient wealth to function in the society. He also spoke of the essential goodness hidden within all the individuals.
He recommended that the psychiatrists treat the family as a whole and not confine themselves to treating just the affectedindividuals. He also suggested, that the patients should be made to actively participate in the therapy by not just remaining as victims but engineering the situations to the best advantage of the affected individual and the family. He stressed on the importance of support from the family, the society, the government machinery and the NGOs for the upliftment and well being of mentally ill patients. He also emphasized the psychological needs of the people who act as ‘tempered radicals’ and bring about positive sustainable changes in the society.
He made an appeal to show the same compassion and understanding, for the mentally ill, on part with the physically and socially challenged sections of the society. He stated, that receiving kindness and consideration is their right rather than a favour bestowed on them by the rest of society. He concluded by saying, that the mentally ill are the most lonely and excluded and can be included only by a society which has people who are principle-centric, with concern for other beings as the first principle of life.
The vote of thanks was proposed by Dr Shafique, assistant professor, department of psychiatry and the programme ended with the college anthem.