Anantnag, Oct 28, KDC: The Department of Psychiatry at Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag organised a Continuing Medical Education (CME) programme on mental health under the theme “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change,” bringing together medical experts, clinicians, healthcare professionals and students from across Jammu and Kashmir.
The programme focused on emerging mental health challenges, strengthening psychiatric services, improving access to quality care and promoting community-based mental healthcare.
Principal GMC Anantnag, Prof. (Dr.) Junaid S. Wani, inaugurated the programme and congratulated the Department of Psychiatry for organising the academic event. He emphasised the need to expand mental health services and strengthen multidisciplinary collaboration to address the evolving mental health needs of the population.
The CME was organised under the supervision of Prof. (Dr.) Mansoor Ahmad Dar, Head of the Department of Psychiatry, GMC Anantnag. Dr. Bilal Ahmad Bhat delivered the welcome address.
During the inaugural session, Prof. Mansoor Ahmad Dar, Chief Medical Officer Anantnag Dr. Khalid Parvez and Dr. Sheikh Javid, Coordinator of the Jammu and Kashmir Psychiatric Society (JKPS), highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts to strengthen psychiatric services and improve access to mental healthcare.
The scientific sessions covered a range of contemporary mental health issues. Dr. Tajamul Hussain, Head of Psychiatry at GMC Baramulla, spoke on “Polypharmacy in Bipolar Disorders,” while Dr. Majid Shafi, Consultant Psychiatrist, Directorate of Health Services Kashmir, addressed “Psychiatry for Non-Psychiatrists.”
Prof. (Dr.) Junaid Nabi of IMHANS-K Srinagar spoke on emerging mental health issues among the elderly, while Prof. (Dr.) Zaid A. Wani of the same institute discussed the growing burden of mental health issues among children and adolescents in Kashmir.
Other sessions focused on depression and its management in primary care, delivered by Prof. (Dr.) Mohammad Maqbool Dar, Head of Psychiatry at KMC Sempura, and changing trends in substance abuse in Kashmir, addressed by Dr. Fazl-e-Roub, Assistant Professor at IMHANS-K Srinagar.
A panel discussion on “Local Action Plan: Priorities of Mental Healthcare at GMC Anantnag” brought together Prof. (Dr.) Fouzia Nazir, Head of Community Medicine; Dr. Showkat Ahmad Shah, Cardiologist; and Prof. Mansoor Ahmad Dar. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Rehana Amin, Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at GMC Anantnag.
The participation of MBBS and nursing students added an educational dimension to the programme, encouraging greater awareness of mental health among future healthcare professionals.
The CME was organised in association with the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) and the Jammu and Kashmir Psychiatric Society (JKPS), with Dr. Rehana Amin serving as the Organising Secretary.
The programme concluded with an emphasis on early recognition, timely intervention, community-based services and multidisciplinary collaboration to strengthen mental healthcare delivery across Jammu and Kashmir.
