Start date
24/10/2024
End date
24/10/2024
On October 24, 2024, the Department of Psychiatry at Dow Medical College, in collaboration with Dr. Ruth K.M. Pfau, Civil Hospital Karachi, organized a seminar in observance of World Mental Health Day at Muin Auditorium, DUHS. The event aligned with this year’s World Health Organization theme, “It’s time to prioritize mental health at the workplace,” focusing on challenges faced by healthcare professionals and the critical topic of suicide prevention.
The seminar attracted an impressive audience, including 20 renowned psychiatrists from Karachi, such as Prof. Dr. Iqbal Afridi, Dr. Raza ur Rahman, Dr. Naim Siddiqui, and others. Faculty and chairpersons from departments like medicine, neurology, and surgery also attended, showing strong institutional support.
Prof. Dr. Saba Sohail, Principal of Dow University, served as the Chief Guest. Prof. Dr. Iqbal Afridi opened the seminar with an insightful talk on suicide prevention, discussing statistics, causes, and strategies. Prof. Dr. Naim Siddiqui followed with a presentation on mental health challenges in healthcare, addressing burnout and emphasizing the need for mental health resources.
Engaging performances enhanced the program’s impact. A skit, created by the student society “Hamara Mustaqbil”, depicted mental health struggles in an accessible way, while a pre-recorded skit on workplace mental health offered additional perspectives, resonating deeply with the audience. (Video link of play by students.https://youtu.be/Runn8YsfJHM)
The event contributed to three Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being, SDG 4 – Quality Education, and SDG 5 – Gender Equality.
