World Mental Health Day (10 October) is a day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy. This year’s theme ‘Dignity in Mental Health-Psychological & Mental Health First Aid for All’ is aimed to enable us to contribute to the goal of taking mental health out of the shadows so that people in general feel more confident in tackling the stigma, isolation and discrimination that continues to plague people with mental health conditions, their families and carers.
On Saturday 8th October 2016, a program was conducted to raise the awareness on mental distress and to promote positive wellbeing among the special children, their parents and the teachers at Manasa special school, Pamboor. The program started with the welcome note by Mr Henry Menezes, Administrator, Manasa, Pamboor. Ms Steffi Jenifer Quadras, 2nd Year M.Sc Nursing student gave an introductory note on the importance of World Mental Health Day. The resource person for the program was Dr Manas E R, Psychiatrist, District Mental Health Program, District hospital, Ajjarakad, Udupi. He delivered a talk on ‘Specific Learning Disability and Mental Retardation’. He also had an interactive session with parents and teachers and cleared their doubts. Various games and activities were conducted for the students of ‘Manasa’ special school and prizes were distributed. Mrs Asha K Nayak, Assistant Professor, Department of Mental Health Nursing, MCON delivered the vote of thanks.  

On 11th October 2016, various programs were conducted to promote positive wellbeing among the patients and family members at psychiatric ward of Kasturba Hospital, Hombelaku and Asare. The program started with the welcome note by Ms Reema Rai, 2nd Year M.Sc Nursing student. Mrs Joshila, ward in charge gave an introductory note on the importance of World Mental Health Day. Dr.Sanjeev Assistant Professor, Dept of Psychiatry delivered a talk on “how to inculcate a positive wellbeing in life”. Various games and activities were conducted for the patients of psychiatry ward and the inmates of Homebelaku and Asare and prizes were distributed. Ms Pusahole Natso, 2nd year M.Sc nursing student, MCON delivered the vote of thanks.