By Ankur Vadhera : The WHO celebrates the World Mental Health Day on The 10th of Oct every year. According to the survey by the WHO, over 450 million persons worldwide suffer from mental health disorders, besides many millions more suffering from mental health problems.
Keeping mental health is vital for human beings, and indeed is viewed that No health without Mental health. Psychiatric disorders and psychological problems have assumed alarming proportions and the stigma and the lack of awareness relating to such issues prevent many persons from seeking help. This year, the theme of World Mental Health day is: “Depression: A global crisis” In commemoration of the World Mental Health Day, the Indian Association of Private Psychiatry, the national body of psychiatrists in practice, will hold its 13th Annual National Conference at JW Marriott in Chandigarh from October 5 to 7, 2012.
The theme of this year’s conference is “Psychiatry – beyond boundaries”. The conference seeks to adopt a broad based approach – vertical, horizontal and longitudinal towards dealing with mental disorders. The conference will discuss various biological, psychological and social aspects of psychiatry, as well as the spiritual dimensions of mental health problems.
Dr.N.N.Wig, Prof. Emeritus of PGIMER, will inaugurate the conference. Dr.N.N.Wig is one of the pioneers of Psychiatry in India and was the consultant (south–East region) for WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION. • Delegates from all over India and abroad will attend the conference. About 400 delegates are expected to attend the conference. The Presidential address on the conference theme, ‘Psychiatry beyond Boundaries’ will be delivered by Dr. Avdesh Sharma.
The experts focussing on various topics like drug dependence, forensic psychiatry, suicide, child mental health, community psychiatry and many other mental disorders and mental health issues will share their experience. It aims to equip psychiatrists with the latest advances in the field of Psychiatry.
B.K. Shivani will deal with Rajyoga teacher of the Brahmakumaris the spiritual aspects of mental health. Celluloid Superstar Suresh Oberoi has kindly consented to deliver a talk on ‘Happiness’ along with Ms. Shivani.
The conference will have the opportunity to have talk by MURTHY, who was the director of NIMHANS, Bengaluru. Prof. RS Murthy has been awarded the coveted Juan José Lopez Ibor Award for 2012. The Award was created by The Juan José López-Ibor Foundation in order to recognize and honor individuals or institutions that made significant scientific contributions leading to a better understanding of psychiatric diseases while being actively engaged in activities enhancing the human dignity of patients and their families. The Award, which is granted every two years, rewards initiatives of research, study, promotion, and communication carried out by individuals or institutions. It consists of a diploma, a token, and 40,000 Euros. • Dr.R.S.Murthy donated the total award amount of Euro 40,000(about Rs.28lacks) is donated to THE ASSOCIATION FOR MENTALLY CHALLENGED (AMC), Bangalore to develop programs towards Empowering of the families of the persons with intellectual disability. He provides voluntary service there.
We are fortunate enough to have the best forensic psychiatrist team (Dr. Callum Ross, Dr. Tobias and Dr. Mrigen Das) from Oxford, England to empower us with skills.
In addition, social awareness activities in the form of a Walkathon is being organised in the Rose Garden on 6th October in the morning at 7.00 AM.
A skit “Mout ka Saya” on drug dependence and its remedy will be played at Plaza in Sector 17 at 5.30 PM on 04.10.2012. DR.S.SRINIVAS The Organising Committee of the conference consists of prominent psychiatrists of the city including Dr. Parmod Kumar (Consultant Psychiatrist-Silver Oaks Hospital), Dr.P.Kulhara (Ex-HOD, Psychiatry, and PGIMER), Dr. Ashwin Mohan, Dr. Rajiv Trehan, Dr. Arjun Arya and Dr. Hardeep Singh. The committee hopes that this conference will build public awareness about Psychiatry in the region and help thousands of sufferers in seeking help and improving quality of life.