Srinagar, October 10:The Department of Psychiatry, SKIMS Medical College, Srinagar celebrated Mental Health Week from 7th to 10th October 2025 with a series of awareness and educational programs held in connection with World Mental Health Day. The week-long observance aimed to promote mental well-being, reduce stigma, and raise awareness about the importance of early identification and management of psychological issues across all sections of society.
The celebrations began on October 7 with an interactive session for medical students on “Staying Positive and Stress-Free.” The session highlighted effective stress management techniques, maintaining emotional balance, and fostering a positive mindset during medical training.
The program featured relaxation exercises and mindfulness demonstrations led by Dr Nizam-ud-Din (Assistant Professor, Psychiatry), Ms Nighat Quraishi (Clinical Psychologist), and Ms Insha (Clinical Psychologist). Students actively participated in the engaging discussions and experiential activities.
On October 8, a workshop for school teachers was organised on “Early Identification of Psychological Disorders in School-Going Children and Their Management.” Over 40 teachers from various schools and colleges attended the sensitisation program, which aimed to help educators recognise early signs of psychological distress and behavioural issues in children and guide them on effective management and referral.
Eminent speakers included Prof. Abdul Majid (Professor & Head, Department of Psychiatry), Dr Nizam-ud-Din, Dr Muntaqueem, Dr Farhana, Dr Mir Masood, Mr Masood Maqbool (Associate Professor, Clinical Psychology), Ms Gousia, Ms Rafia, and Ms Nighat (Clinical Psychologists).
Prof. (Dr.) Fazlul Qadir Parray, Principal SKIMS Medical College, also addressed the participants and shared his valuable insights on the importance of mental health promotion in educational settings.
On the same day, Dr. Nizam-ud-Din participated in a Radio Kashmir Srinagar program, where he spoke about mental health awareness and the need for community-based initiatives. He elaborated on the services available at the Advanced Centre for Mental Health and Addiction Medicine, DKINS Soura, including daily OPDs, inpatient care, and rTMS therapy, a new treatment modality for OCD. The live session also featured interactions with the public through phone-in questions.
Continuing the series, on October 10, Ms. Rafia (Clinical Psychologist) conducted an outreach program at Government Degree College, Boniyar, Baramulla, delivering an inspiring talk on “Maintaining Positive Mental Health.” The session focused on building resilience, emotional regulation, and adopting a balanced lifestyle among college students.
On the same day, another key program was organised for nursing staff and students on “Psychological First Aid (PFA).” The interactive workshop was led by Dr. Nizam-ud-Din and Dr. Masood Maqbool, and saw active participation from Dr. Gulzar Muzaffar, Dr. Farhana, Dr. Mehroosh (Senior Residents), Ms. Nuzhat (Assistant Professor, Nursing), and Mr. Mohd Sameer Khan (Assistant Professor, Psychiatric Social Work). The session emphasised the importance of PFA as an essential skill for frontline healthcare workers and included demonstrations on empathy, communication, and immediate psychological support strategies.
The week-long Mental Health celebrations witnessed enthusiastic participation from students, teachers, healthcare professionals, and the general public. The Department of Psychiatry reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening mental health awareness, promoting early intervention, and fostering holistic well-being through continued educational and outreach initiatives.
