Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar emphasised on the need of services of counsellors at school level, while presiding over a programme at Himachal Mental Health and Rehabilitation Hospital on the occasion of World Mental Health Day at Shimla today. He said that the treatment of person suffering from mental illness was possible with assistance and positive attitude. Arlekar said that it is vital to understand the emotions involved in organising World Mental Health Day and to act accordingly. He said that he was running a hospital for treatment of mental illness at Goa, therefore he understands the situation of persons with mental illness. He stressed on providing counselling facility to students at school level for timely consultation, so that the situation of depression could be avoided. He said that this issue cannot be redressed in a day and continuous & united efforts should be made in this regard. Governor also interacted with persons under treatment at the hospital on this occasion.
Himachal Red Cross Hospital Welfare Section, Chairperson, Dr. Sadhna Thakur said that Mental Health was equally important as physical health. She said that in today’s era people were looking for happiness in outside world, which is not permanent. Due to which we are unable to understand ourselves and family relations. This situation leads to lack of assistance from family, which is a matter of concern. She stressed on the need of practicing yoga for good mental health and said that to understand family it is important to adopt values of life. She said that it is also important to keep into consideration our contribution towards society. These values help in facing challenges of life. Himachal Mental Health and Rehabilitation Hospital Shimla, Senior Medical Superintendent, Dr. Sanjay Pathak welcomed the Governor and other dignitaries and expressed his views on the occasion. National Health Mission Director Hemraj Bairwa, Member of State Mental Health Authority Prof. Ajay Srivastava, Officers and other dignitaries were also present on this occasion.
