World Mental Health Day observed

World Mental Health Day-2017 was marked here on Tuesday like other parts of the globe with a renewed pledge to continue efforts for raising awareness in the people about the precautionary measures and treatment of mentally deranged patients so that they could lead normal life.
To mark the day, different activities like walks, seminars, symposiums, were held in which health professionals have expressed their resolve to continue waging coordinated efforts for the treatment and rehabilitation of people suffering from psychiatric diseases.
They also reiterated their commitment that every possible resources will be provided to further improve the facilities available for the treatment of such people. Punjab Minister for Specialized Healthcare & Medical Education Kh. Salman Rafique told media while leading an awareness walk arranged by the Punjab Institute of Mental Health (PIMH), said that positive attitude of the family and take-care of mentally retorted and psycho patients help in amelioration of the symptoms of the disease and early recovery of the patient. "It is collective responsibility of the society to be more caring toward such patients and do not make fun of mentally retorted people," he said.
The awareness walk was started from the premises of PIMH and finished at the gate of Jillani Park. Besides, Chief Executive PIMH Dr Nasir Mehmood Bhatti, doctors, nurses, paramedics and the patients participated in the walk.
Khawaja Salman Rafique said that the Punjab government is enhancing treatment facilities for mentally retarded and psycho patients. He said that full-fledged psychiatry departments are working in all the tertiary care hospitals, while the government has enhanced such facilities at district headquarters level and psychiatrists have been posted in the DHQ hospitals to provide medical treatment to the patients.
Salman further said that health Department is working to introduce amendments in the legislation which was done in 2014 regarding mental health. Moreover, Mental Health Authority is also being activated.
Chief Executive PIMH Dr Nasir Mahmood Bhatti informed the audience that the institution is providing treatment as well as rehabilitation facilities to the patients. He said that such patients who started recovery, shifted to the rehabilitation centre where according to their interest and tendency, different skills including paintings, handicrafts, music etc, are imparted to them so that pressure on their mind could be reduced and when they go back in the society after complete recovery they could adjust themselves.
On the occasion, Khawaja Salman Rafique also inaugurated the exhibition of paintings and handicrafts prepared by the inmates of the rehabilitation centre. He appreciated the artistic skills of the patients and gave Rs 10 thousand cash prize to them from his own pocket.