LARKANA:Prof Safiullah Afghan, renowned psychologist from the UK, has said while addressing a seminar on “Mental Health for All and Prevention of Suicides” held at Chandka Medical College Auditorium Hall here on Saturday that due to technology, on the one hand we are becoming a global village and on the other hand we are going to be more and more isolated in ourself.
He said psychological patients can play a positive role adding a code of conduct for media reporting on suicides has been enforced but unfortunately it has been ignored. He said that those who attempt suicide should be taken to a psychiatrist instead of jail, because, he elaborated, the law was enacted in 2015 and which allows them medical treatment. He said that we have an acute shortage of qualified psychologists here in Pakistan so much so that there is only one psychologist for every 50,000 people, he added.
SMBBMU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Aneela Ata-ur-Rehman said that we are starting the new year with a healthy activity. “People with strong nerves also often fall, but if there is someone who listens to them, keeps their secrets and gives them good advice, they can avoid suicides,” she said. She said we are constituting a Council for this purpose which will be voluntarily headed by former professor of psychology Prof. Badar Junejo and include a male and female psychiatrists which will counsel students, staff and faculty.
She said that everyone knows what happened at the university in the recent past, but we are writing the opposite of what we say and write, we will be conducting mental health seminars at least four times this year, she announced. She said “I love my students like a mother, adding if any students have a problem, they can message me, my team will contact them soon”.
Motivational speaker Malik Khaskheli said that if we use our brains in a positive way then there will be a positive reflection in the society as well. He said that crime among the young generation is also because of mental illness hence we should also treat them like other normal patients
University’s Registrar Dr. Qararo Shah said that most major diseases are caused by brain diseases and it is the brain that makes man superior to all other creatures, a healthy mind builds a healthy society, he added. He said psychology is an important department of the SMBBMU. SMBBMU organized the seminar for making awareness among the society and students. Large number of teachers, doctors and students participated in the seminar.