JKIFTS conducts webinar on mental health

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 11: Jammu and Kashmir Innovative Foundation for Transforming Society (JKIFTS) conducted a webinar on mental health.
The webinar was conducted under “Mental Health Cum De-addiction Program” of JKIFTS and was hosted by Mushtaque B Barq, Chief Coordinator cum Columnists Council Head of JKIFTS and Advocate Syed Mujtaba, one of the core executive members of Columnists Council.
The speakers on the occasion were Dr Nikhil Gupta (Psychiatrist), Chetan Prabhakar (Mindfulness and life coach) and Dr Tasaduk Hussain Itoo (Director JKIFTS).
While briefing the session, Director JKIFTS, Dr Tasaduk Hussain Itoo said, “Mental health issues are becoming a grave concern and maximum percentage of people do suffer one or other form of mental health problem during current times including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders and many other illnesses.”
He said that mental health illnesses are crucial provocative factors responsible for multiple social and behavioral problems. “Drug addiction is one of the major concerning social menaces that need an effective redressal, besides other addictions”, he said.
Dr Itoo said that the stigma associated with mental health issues is unfortunately a big challenge and we need to put our efforts best in breaking this stigma so that people who suffer – shall reveal their illnesses and ensure help.
Explaining interface of thoughts, emotions and behaviour as basic theme to mental health, Dr Nikhil Gupta (Assistant Professor, Psychiatry, ASCOMS Jammu), termed mental health problems as dysfunction in one or more of them having significant impact on one’s social, professional or personal life.
“A healthy mind is happy, grateful, lives in the present moment, let go the past, plans the future and not worries about it, is positive in every situation even the most difficult ones; is calm, compose and blissful, is aware, concentrated, focused and assertive,” said Chetan Prabhakar while talking during the session.
The webinar was attended by many members of JKIFTS from both Jammu and Kashmir divisions and it concluded with vote of thanks presented by Director JKIFTS.