SARGODHA: The University of Sargodha (UoS) on Friday marked World Mental Health Day with a series of awareness activities organized by its Counselling Center and Department of Psychology to highlight emerging psychological challenges and promote mental well-being among students and the wider community.
A seminar and a workshop on ‘Lived Experiences and Mental Health’ were held at the Malik Feroz Khan Noon Business School,with Vice Chancellor(VC) Prof.Dr.Tasawwar Hayat as the chief guest. Pro Vice Chancellor(VC) Prof.Dr.Masood Sarwar Awan also attended the event.
Addressing the participants,the VC emphasized that the mental well-being of citizens, particularly young people, was essential for national progress and social development.
He called for greater participation in healthy activities and stressed the need to counter extremism and negative attitudes through empathy, tolerance and mutual understanding.
He highlighted the importance of extracurricular competitions and artistic activities in educational institutions, saying such initiatives contributed to students’ intellectual development and psychological well-being. He also underscored the need for coordination, compassion and a supportive social environment to address emerging mental health challenges.
Chairperson of the Department of Psychology,Prof.Dr.Najma Iqbal Malik described mental health as a fundamental human right and highlighted the department’s efforts to promote psychological well-being through education, research and student counselling.
She said active listening, open communication and continuous learning were essential to creating a supportive environment for people experiencing mental health challenges.
During the seminar,Dr.Khawaja Arshad highlighted the growing recognition of autism among children and stressed the importance of early intervention and parental awareness.
Dr.Shamshad Bashir discussed the role of social support networks in improving the lives of individuals facing mental health challenges.
Psychologist Asma Irfan spoke about the social and psychological factors associated with suicide,emphasizing the importance of community support and timely intervention.
She also highlighted the influence of parents’ psychological well-being on the mental and physical development of children.
Students contributed to the program through creative performances, videos and documentaries aimed at raising awareness and encouraging constructive discussions on mental health.
Awareness stalls were also set up at the Department of Psychology to disseminate information and engage students in discussions on psychological well-being.
Faculty members and a large number of students attended the activities.