Theme: Access To Services-Mental Health Catastrophes and Emergencies

Name of Department: School of Pharmacy

Event Coordinator: Dr. Shafkat Hussain and Dr. Imtiyaz Hussain

Date of Activity: 10-10-2025

Time: 12:00 PM

Venue: Saunti Village, Amloh, Mandi Gobindgarh, Punjab

Organised By:

Placebo Club Faculty of Pharmacy, Community club Faculty of Nursing Desh Bhagat University, in collaboration with Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC) & IQAC on dated 10-10-2025.

A one-day community outreach program was organized on 10th October 2025 on the occasion of World Mental Health Day at Saunti Village, Amloh, Mandi Gobindgarh, Punjab. The event was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Shafkat Hussain, Dr. Imtiyaz Hussain, Ms. Lovepreet Kaur and Ms. Karanpreet from the School of Pharmacy & Nursing College of Desh Bhagat University.

The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day was “Access to Services – Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies.” The event aimed to raise awareness about the importance of mental health services, especially during crises such as natural disasters, conflicts, and pandemics. The focus was to educate the community on coping strategies, psychological support, and early intervention during emergencies.

Objectives of the Event

The main objectives of the event were to:

1. Raise awareness about the importance of mental health and well-being during catastrophes and emergencies.
2. Educate the public on identifying early signs of stress, anxiety, and trauma during crisis situations.
3. Emphasize the need for accessible and timely mental health services.
4. Promote coping strategies and community-based psychological first aid.
5. Encourage empathy, resilience, and community support during emergencies.

Student Participation

Students from B. Pharm (V Semester), Pharm. D, and the students of Nursing actively participated in the program. Faculty members and local authorities also joined hands to ensure the success of this community outreach initiative.

The following activities were conducted:

• Rally:
  A Mental Health Awareness Rally was organized across Saunti Village. Students carried banners and placards with motivational messages such as “Mental Health Support Saves Lives” and “Care for the Mind During Crisis.” The rally emphasized the significance of mental health services during disasters and emergencies.
• Awareness-Program:
  An interactive awareness session was conducted where students and faculty members discussed topics like stress management, trauma care, anxiety, PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), and coping mechanisms during crises. The session encouraged community members to recognize early signs of distress and seek help when needed.
• Quiz-Competition:
  A mental health awareness quiz was conducted to assess and enhance participants’ knowledge about mental health issues and emergency preparedness. Winners were awarded certificates of appreciation.
• Poster-Presentation:
  Students prepared and displayed educational posters on various mental health disorders, including Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and anxiety disorders. In addition, the posters covered topics such as Stress and Coping in Emergencies, PTSD Awareness, Mental Health First Aid, and Community Support During Disasters. These visual displays were designed to be informative, simple, and engaging, effectively conveying key messages to the villagers and helping them understand mental health issues, early warning signs, and coping strategies in a clear and accessible manner.

Highlights of the Event:

• Emphasized the importance of mental health care during emergencies and disasters.
• Promoted community engagement and dialogue on mental well-being.
• Fostered interdisciplinary collaboration between Pharmacy and Nursing students.
• Encouraged interactive learning through discussions, demonstrations, and visual presentations.
• Reinforced the concept of resilience and psychological support in times of crisis.

Outcomes:

• Increased community awareness regarding mental health services during emergencies.
• Encouraged villagers to seek psychological support when needed.
• Enhanced students’ communication, teamwork, and leadership skills.
• Strengthened collaboration between different faculties through joint social outreach activities.
• Reduced stigma related to mental health disorders by encouraging open discussions.

Feedback:

Community members appreciated the initiative and expressed gratitude for organizing such a meaningful event. They praised the students’ efforts in simplifying mental health concepts and providing practical guidance. Faculty members lauded the enthusiasm, dedication, and sense of social responsibility shown by the students.

Conclusion:

The World Mental Health Day – Community Awareness Program held on 10th October 2025 at Saunti Village was a remarkable success. The event, based on the theme “Access to Services – Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies,” effectively achieved its objectives of promoting awareness, empathy, and timely access to mental health care during crises.

The combined efforts of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Nursing, and institutional bodies such as IIC and IQAC contributed to making this event impactful and educational. Such initiatives play a vital role in bridging the gap between academic learning and community service while fostering social responsibility among future healthcare professionals.