Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 1: The Department of Psychiatry at Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu, in collaboration with UNICEF, organized a one-day conference titled ‘Child Mental Health Awareness: Bridging the Gap’ today. The conference aimed to foster awareness and initiate meaningful discussions on addressing child mental health issues in the region.
The event was inaugurated by Dr Ashutosh Gupta, Principal of GMC Jammu, who also delivered the welcome address, emphasizing the need for greater awareness and intervention in child mental health. Dr Pawan Malhotra, Principal of ASCOMS Jammu, graced the occasion as the special guest.
The conference was organized under the leadership of Dr Manu Arora, organizing chairman and HoD Psychiatry at GMC Jammu, along with Dr Rakesh Banal, organizing secretary. Dr Abhishek Chauhan and Dr Preeti Kour served as joint organizing secretaries. Dr Arora provided an insightful overview of the Child Guidance Welfare Clinic (CGWC), a vital initiative aimed at supporting child mental health in the region. He highlighted the clinic’s role in raising awareness and providing essential support to children and families in need.
The scientific program of the conference featured lectures from prominent experts in the field including Dr Abhishek Chauhan (Assistant Professor, GMC Jammu), Jasmin Kour (Clinical Psychologist), Shalini Sharma (Member of the JJ Board), Dr Preeti Kour (Senior Resident, GMC Jammu), Rakshandha Thakur and Dr Ronika Sharma (Director, CRC Samba).
The conference also addressed the legal aspects of child mental health, with Dr Sheetal Manhas providing valuable insights into the legal frameworks surrounding children with mental health issues.
The event marked a significant step toward bridging the gap in child mental health awareness and support, setting the stage for further initiatives to enhance mental health care infrastructure for children in Jammu and surrounding regions.
The conference concluded with vote of thanks presented by Dr Manoj Kumar Chalotra, Medical Superintendent of the Government Psychiatric Diseases Hospital.
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