Mysore: To raise the awareness about mental health in the society the department of Psychiatry, Mysore Medical College & Research Institute, in association with Department of Health & Family Welfare and Indian Medical Association, Mysore and Indian Psychiatry Society, Karnataka Chapter celebrated world mental health day on Friday October 16.
Observing the day a procession was held, the commenced from MMC & RI, and marched through Irwin road, Dhanvanthri road and concluded near the K R Hospital campus. The procession was flagged of by Dr B Krishna Murthy, Dean and Director, MMC & RI, Mysore.
One of the chief guests for the event Dr H T Putta Swamy – district health officer, said that under public private partnership a day care centre has been started in the premises of KR hospital to rehabilitate mentally ill patients.
Dr G S Venkatesh – Principal of MMC & RI addressing the event said that there is no health without mental wellbeing thus it is very crucial. Our institution will initiate a postgraduate training in psychiatry from next academic year, he added.
Dr B G Sagar – Medical Superintendent of K R Hospital, said that negligence of mental health will lead to other physical illness as well and burden the service provider, therefore proper emphasis must be given from the beginning.
Dr Raveesh B N, President elect, Indian Psychiatry Society, Karnataka Prof & Head, Department of Psychiatry, MMC & RI also addressed the audience.
He stressed on the increase in prevalence of mental illness in the society due to life style changes and societal attitudes. People from all background and all age, gender are suffering from mental illness. For every illness there is a psychological component. Early recognition and intervention can reintegrate mentally ill back to society. Discrimination and stigma is a human right violation, Dr Raveesh said.
Dr M S Kempe Gowda, President, IMA Mysore branch; Dr B N Anand Ravi, Hon Secretary, IMA Mysore branch and Dr G Nagalakshmi, District Mental Health Program Officer, Mysore were present during the celebrations.
