In a concerted effort to raise awareness about mental health and promote well-being within the community, the Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health in collaboration with the Department of Psychiatry, PGIMER Chandigarh organized a highly successful “Mental Health Awareness Programme” at the Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Kot, Panchkula, Haryana dated 22nd April 2024. This program was organized in addition to the training capacity of the members of the Ayushman Aarogya Mandir as mental health and well-being are one of the twelve components of the Comprehensive Primary Healthcare.
The event witnessed active participation from both the students and the staff who engaged in role-playing exercises guided by Dr. Risha, Senior Demonstrator, PGIMER Chandigarh which aimed at demonstrating effective strategies for managing stress and anxiety. Under the expert guidance of Dr. Rengith Pillai, Assistant Professor, and Dr. Harrishupreet Kaur, Senior Resident from the Department of Psychiatry at PGIMER, Chandigarh, a comprehensive health talk was delivered covering various aspects of mental health, including causes, factors, and common mental health disorders, with a focus on equipping the community and PHC staff with valuable insights and knowledge.
Dr. Mourvi Chugh, Project Coordinator of the Comprehensive Primary Health Care-Innovation and Learning Centre 2.0 at PGIMER, Chandigarh, further enriched the program by elucidating operational guidelines, thereby enhancing participants' understanding of their roles and responsibilities in promoting mental health within their respective spheres. She also discussed the importance of the continuity of care to be developed between different healthcare levels.
The event drew significant attendance, with approximately 35 dedicated staff members and over 50 enthusiastic community members actively participating. Among the attendees were key personnel such as the Medical Officer (MO), Community Health Officer (CHO), Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM), Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA), and ASHA facilitators.
Dr. Shankar Prinja, Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health expressed satisfaction with the overwhelming response and emphasized the importance of such initiatives in fostering a mentally healthy community. "This program serves as a crucial step towards destigmatizing mental health issues and promoting holistic well-being”