World Mental Health Day Celebrated at
Gandhara University, Peshawar
Peshawar:(Special Representative)According to Global times News Agancy Europe,World Mental Health Day was celebrated at Gandhara University, Peshawar, with the participation of distinguished psychiatrists, medical professionals and academics. The event highlighted the theme “Evidence, Equity and Empathy in Mental Healthcare”, emphasizing the need for accessible, culturally relevant and compassionate mental health services across South Asia.Prof. Wajid Ali Akhunzada, President-Elect of the SAARC Psychiatric Federation (SPF) and President of the Pakistan Psychiatric Society (PPS), stressed the importance of evidence-based research, equitable access to mental healthcare and listening to the lived experiences of patients.He proposed three regional initiatives: a SAARC Mental Health Evidence Network, adaptation of the mhGAP programme to local languages and cultures, and a SAARC Telepsychiatry Corridor to strengthen cross-border professional collaboration and youth mental health support.The event called for collective efforts to bridge the mental healthcare gap and ensure that quality mental health services reach communities, schools and underserved populations.Participants in the front row, from left to right: Dr. Rabia, Dr. Anjum, Brig. Dr. Ahmad Hussain Mishwani, Prof. Wajid Ali Akhunzada, Dr. Ejaz Hassan Khan, Vice Chancellor Gandhara University, Dr. Syed Manzoor, Dr. Iftikhar Ali Malik, Dr. Mudassir and Noor-ul-Baqi.