Snehalaya organizes a mental health awareness programme on WMHD

Mangaluru: On the account of “World Mental Health Day”, Snehalaya Psycho-Social Rehabilitation Centre, Mangaluru had organized an awareness programme, with a theme “Young people and mental health in a changing world”, at the Snehalaya auditorium, Manjeshwar, here on Wednesday, October 10.

The programme was inaugurated by chief guest of the programme and the Parish Priest of Pavoor Church Rev Fr. Verghese, by a lamp lighting ceremony.

Speaking on the occasion Fr. Verghese said, “In this modern world, due to a fast track life and other related activities, each individual has lost ones mental stability. These days in the families too, the process of interaction and parents sharing time with their children is absent. This has become the reason for mental related issues in the younger generation”.

“Mental health is the requirement of every individual in order to lead a healthy and decent life. Such programmes should reach the commoners and create awareness on how to cope with mental issues”, he added.

Meanwhile, Yashwanth Rasquinha, who was in the Snehalaya family, shared his testimony and said that currently, he is leading a healthy life.

In the presidential address, President of the programme Br Joseph Crasta said, “We need to care and support the mentally ill patients and help them in their treatment”.

A workshop was organized for students, where two resource persons participated.

The resources persons were Director of PG Studies and Assistant Professor of PG Dept of Social Work, St. Aloysius College (Autonomous), Mangaluru Dr. Loveena Lobo and Professor of Dept of Psychiatric, Father Muller Medical College, Mangaluru Dr. Aruna Yedial.

Dr. Loveena spoke on the topic “Family and Mental Health”, and Dr. Aruna spoke on the topic, “Youth and Technology”.

Ward Member Moosa and President of Manjeshwara Block Panchayath were present during the occasion.

Around 179 students from different colleges from in and around Mangaluru namely St. Aloysius ITI, Mangaluru, Roshni Nilaya School of Social Work Mangaluru, Hira Women’s Permannur, Mangaluru, Department of Social Work Mangalore University, Yenepoya University, Udaya Higher Secondary School Manjeshwara, Govinda Pai Memorial Govt College Manjeshwara participated.

Students were later given away participation certificates.

Prayer service was conducted by the Snehalaya staff. Rajesh welcomed the gathering.

Jacintha Pereira compeered the programme.