FUMC holds symposium to create mental health awareness

Islamabad
Foundation University Medical College organised MEDFEST Pakistan Symposium here on Thursday to create awareness about mental health problems which are on the constant rise from past few decades.
Foundation University Islamabad Rector Major General (r) Khadim Hussain was the chief guest while Principal Foundation University Medical College, Major General (r) Dr. Nasim ul Majeed was also present on the occasion.
While addressing the gathering, the FUI rector said that increase in mental illness is to the extent that depression is going to be recognized as the second most common illness after cardiac illness, globally, in near future. He said, “This alarming increase in mental health problems carries serious implications for the country like Pakistan which is already in doldrums on account of multifarious problems.”
The Rector said that mental ailments not only cause significant disability but it also adversely affects the quality of life of the individuals suffering from the disease. He said, this subject is very much relevant to us as we are involved in health education and health care, hence, we need to play our part in combating mental health problems.
He said the Fauji Foundation is fully alive to this issue and informed the audience that Foundation University Medical College has a very experienced mental health faculty who is working in this area right at the grass root level. The College faculty along with a dedicated team of mental health professionals of Fauji Foundation Hospital is providing indoor as well as outdoor treatment facility to a large population. Major General (r) Khadim Hussain said that awareness of any problem forms the basis of strategy to deal with the issue. “Making people aware of mental illness, keeping them away from the hands of non-professionals and removing the stigma of mental illnesses, is of utmost importance. Therefore, today’s Symposium is a step in the right direction,” he added.