Multan:Women University Multan (WUM) VC Prof Dr Syeda Shahida Batool emphasized on Wednesday that mental health is as important as physical health and must remain an integral part of student well-being. She was addressing a special awareness programme under WUM Department of Applied Psychology and the Mental Health and Community Well-Being Centre organized at Jinnah Hall in connection with World Mental Health Day. She said universities have responsibility that extends beyond academic instruction and degrees to creating safe, supportive and enabling environments where young people can grow into emotionally resilient, confident and empowered individuals.
Referring to the pressures associated with academic competition, career planning, societal expectations and the digital world, she encouraged students not to hide psychological or emotional difficulties because of stigma, but to communicate openly and seek professional support when required. The VC also engaged students in an interactive question-and-answer session, providing them an opportunity to discuss mental health concerns and seek guidance.
The speakers included Dr Mehmood Ali Shah, Psychiatrist, Medisurge Hospital; Dr A Sajjad Siddiqui, Psychiatrist, National Psychiatric Hospital; Dr. Ghulam Mujtaba Nasir, Assistant Professor of Community Medicine, Nishtar Hospital; and Ms. Muneeza Manzoor Butt, Senior Psychologist, Violence Against Women Centre (VAWC).
They highlighted different dimensions of psychological well-being, early recognition of mental health concerns, professional help-seeking, counselling and emotional support. They stressed that building awareness around mental health is a shared responsibility of educational institutions, families, professionals and society, and that seeking help should be viewed as a responsible and positive step.
Students actively contributed to the programme through mental health awareness stalls, a Personality Assessment Stall and a Counselling Desk, providing information and promoting conversations
around emotional well-being. A series of skits and performances addressed important themes including emotional struggles, stigma surrounding mental illness, schizophrenia, digital well-being, kindness, empathy and emotional management, making the awareness message engaging and accessible to the student reaffirming the University’s commitment to promoting mental and emotional well-being among students and the wider university community.
The programme concluded with a Mental Health Awareness Walk, led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Syeda Shahida Batool, with participation from faculty members and students. The walk carried a strong message of awareness, empathy, positive mental health and timely support. The Vice Chancellor also visited the awareness stalls, interacted with students and appreciated their efforts to communicate important mental health messages through creative activities.
Dr Sadia Musharraf, Head Department of Applied Psychology, expressed appreciated the faculty, students and organizing team for contributing to the successful observance, reiterating the message that mental health is an essential part of overall well-being and seeking support is a sign of awareness and strength.