GCU observes mental health week

LAHORE: In order to promote cultural and religious harmony in the society, Mental Health Week celebrations began on Tuesday at the Government College University (GCU) under the theme “Psychology of Religion and Culture.”

GCU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Hassan Amir Shah chaired the inaugural session which included the Inter-Universities Poster Competition. Some 121 psychology students from different institutions took part in the poster competition and displayed posters.

Psychology Department Chairperson Dr Syeda Shahida Batool highlighted the role of religion and spirituality as a potential resource in mental health recovery and wellness. She underlined the need for promoting positivity in the society through art and culture. She said celebrating Mental Heal Week was one of the oldest traditions of GCU Psychology Department.

Prof Dr Hassan called upon the students to value relationships, forgive others and serve the humanity. He appreciated the artwork of the students. An in-campus awareness walk was also held.

A performing arts festival and seminar on “Radicalisation” are also part of the week long celebrations. UHS committee: University of Health Sciences (UHS) Vice-Chancellor Prof Faisal Masud Tuesday constituted a committee to look into the grievances of MBBS students who recently failed in second professional supplementary examination.

According to a press release, the committee consists of senior professors who will look into the issue and submit report in seven days. Art competition: On first anniversary of the PKLI&RC’s Hepatitis Prevention and Treatment Clinic (HPTC), Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute & Research Centre (PKLI&RC) on Tuesday held a prize distribution ceremony for the art competition, according to a press release. Virtual University Vice-Chancellor Naveed Malik was the chief guest.

Reportedly, Dr Lubna Ehtizaz mother of the contestant, late Amraha Ehtizaz who died of a liver disease, had teary eyes when she received prize for her deceased daughter’s art work submitted in the competition titled “Healing with Art.”

PKLI&RC President and CEO Prof Dr Saeed Akhter; Medical Director and COODr Amer Yar Khan; Chairman Hepatology Dr Abdul Nadir; Anesthesia Consultant Dr Masooma Saeed; General Manager Marketing Altamash Pervaiz, HODs and staff members of PKLI&RC attended the ceremony.

Some 1,750 students from various educational institutions had participated in the competition. The participants at the ceremony expressed joy and appreciated PKLI&RC’s initiative. They said it was quite informative to them.

PKLI&RC organised the competition with the aim to create awareness in society about the importance of the preventive measures to reduce the risk of Hepatitis and other related diseases.