Anantnag, October 10, 2025 – As the world unites under the theme “Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies,” Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag is at the forefront of a multi-faceted campaign to foster mental well-being, breaking stigmas and building bridges of support in the serene yet resilient valleys of Jammu & Kashmir. A series of activities kicked off today at the college campus, emphasizing awareness, empathy, and accessible care, drawing hundreds of students, faculty, healthcare workers, and community members to prioritize mental health amid rising challenges like post-conflict trauma, natural disasters, and everyday stressors.The initiative, flagged off by Principal Dr. (Prof.) Tanzila Sultan, aligns with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) global call to action, spotlighting equitable mental health services in crisis-hit regions. Over the past five years, GMC Anantnag’s Psychiatry Department has attended to nearly 1,90,000 patients, a testament to the surging demand for compassionate care in South Kashmir. Dr. Sultan, addressing an inaugural seminar, urged participants: “In our beautiful Anantnag, where life’s rhythms are as unpredictable as the seasons, mental health is not a luxury—it’s the foundation of our collective strength. Today’s activities are a promise to listen, heal, and empower.”The day’s lineup blended education, interaction, and therapeutic expression, transforming the GMC auditorium and lawns into hubs of hope:
- Awareness Walk and Rally: A vibrant green-ribbon procession wound through the campus, led by medical students chanting slogans like “Break the Silence, End the Stigma.” Participants distributed pamphlets on TeleMANAS—the national 24/7 mental health helpline (14416)—and shared stories of recovery, highlighting its role in emergencies like floods that frequently affect the region.
- Interactive Workshops and Role-Plays: Sessions on stress management, mindfulness, and suicide prevention featured expert-led demos by psychiatrists and psychologists. A standout activity was a youth-focused art therapy corner, where attendees sketched “My Safe Space,” inspired by WHO’s emphasis on creative outlets for Gen Z amid academic pressures and social media anxieties.
- Empathy Circles and Panel Discussions: Small-group dialogues encouraged open conversations on topics like grief in conflict zones and work-life balance for healthcare frontline workers. Resource persons from the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) elaborated on government schemes, including integration with Ayushman Bharat and community outreach via ASHA workers, ensuring services reach remote tehsils like Kokernag and Bijbehara.
- Screening and Support Camps: Free mental health check-ups were offered, with on-site counseling for over 200 visitors. The event also launched a “Peer Support Network” for GMC students, training 50 volunteers to identify early signs of distress and promote routines like yoga and digital detoxes—key to WHO’s 2025 recommendations for resilience.
This surge in engagement reflects GMC Anantnag’s evolving role as a beacon for holistic health since its establishment in 2019. Recent milestones include expanding tele-psychiatry during the 2024 floods and partnering with NGOs for school-based interventions. Chief Medical Officer Anantnag, Dr. Gulzar Ahmad, praised the efforts: “These activities aren’t events—they’re lifelines, especially in emergencies where timely access can save lives.” The college’s Psychiatry OPD, which sees 50-60 cases daily, will extend follow-up sessions through the week, tying into the broader Seva Pakhwada 2025 calendar.As green ribbons fluttered against the backdrop of Anantnag’s apple orchards, the message was clear: Mental health matters, and support starts with empathy. With Jammu & Kashmir reporting a 20% rise in anxiety cases post-2023, initiatives like these are vital for a “Viksit Bharat” where no mind is left behind.The events, live-streamed on social media, garnered widespread acclaim, with hashtags #WorldMentalHealthDay2025 and #TeleMANAS trending locally. Community leaders and alumni pledged ongoing collaboration, ensuring the green wave of awareness ripples beyond October 10.
