Exhibition highlights impact of social factors on mental illness

Two-day international conference on social psychology is also part of the mental health week activities.

LAHORE:

Students from 12 educational institutions participated in an exhibition for Mental Health Week, which started on Monday at the Government College University Lahore.

Organised by the GCU psychology department, the painting exhibition highlighted the problems resulting from unemployment, load-shedding, poverty, gender violence, injustice, illiteracy, and religious prejudice. The paintings highlighted the effect of these factors on mental health and well being.

Vice Chancellor Muhammad Khaleequr Rahman inaugurated the exhibition.

As many as 90 students have contributed 60 posters on topics related to social psychology. Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Rahman said he considered psychologists to be agents of reform in society. He said it was their responsibility to suggest ideas and policies to maintain a healthy society.

Rahman said the Mental Health Week (MHW) celebrations at the GCU would provide students an opportunity to better understand the problems.

An awareness walk was also held on the campus

Dr Syeda Salma Hasan, the psychology department head, said a two-day international conference on social psychology was also part of the mental health week activities. A performing arts competition and an inter-university quiz contest were also scheduled. She said the purpose of the mental health week was to promote awareness of social realities. Beaconhouse National University secured first position in the poster exhibition. The University of Lahore and University of Management and Technology secured the second and third positions.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 29^th, 2014.