The National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities (NIEPMD) observed the World Mental Health Day from Oct.3 to 20. The theme of this year is ‘Mental Health is a Universal Human Right’. To commemorate the occasion, NIEPMD organised various activities aimed at raising awareness about mental health issues and fostering understanding and support for mental health as a fundamental human right.
Dr. Nachiketa Rout, Director of NIEPMD, lit the ceremonial lamp and inaugurated the event on Oct.3. Dr. Karthikeyan, Head of the Department, delivered the welcome address, followed by a special address from Dr.A.Amarnath, Deputy Registrar (Admin).
An awareness program was conducted for the housekeeping, security, and maintenance staff, focusing on the theme ‘Nam Karangal’. Following this, on Oct.5, the ‘Maghizhvom Manathinaal’ event was organised for caregivers of individuals with disabilities, providing them with guidance, support, and an opportunity to celebrate their dedicated work.
Additionally, the ‘Uzhaipum Ulla Nalamum’ event was held for faculty and staff, appreciating their contributions and enhancing their mental well-being through awareness initiatives. An interactive session on ‘Law and Human Behavior’ was conducted on Oct.6, with international lawyer G.Harihara Arun Somasankar as the resource person. Parallelly, a session ‘Thulirkum Vidhaigal’, tailored for HRD students was conducted, featuring interactive discussions and collage competitions.
The activities culminated in a grand event called ‘Sangamam’ where allied health sciences students from various colleges came together to mark World Mental Health Day on Oct.9 and 10. These events aimed not only to raise awareness but also to emphasise the importance of mental health as a universal human right, fostering a supportive and understanding environment within the institution.
