Karnataka - Gulbarga   

Conference on mental health next month

By Our Special Correspondent

GULBARGA, JAN. 27. The fifth national conference of the Indian Association of Mental Health organised by the Department of Psychology, Gulbarga University, will be held on the main campus of the university on the outskirts of the city on February 28 and March 1.

A press release from the university said that the conference will be inaugurated by the Vice-Chancellor of the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, Nagaraja, at the university's Mahatma Gandhi Hall. C.R. Chandrasekhar, Professor and Head of the Department of Psychiatry, NIMHANS, will deliver the keynote address and the Vice-Chancellor of Gulbarga University, V.B. Coutinho, will preside over the inaugural function.

The release said that various studies by the World Health Organisation and NIMHANS have shown that 8 per cent of the population suffers from mild mental illness and 2 per cent from severe mental illness. However, the stigma attached to mental illnesses coupled with a feeling of insult and superstition are major stumbling blocks in preventing sickness and promoting sound mental health in the country.

Detection and therapy

Effective principles and techniques of detection and therapy have been formulated in the treatment of mental illnesses and effective medicines are now available for treatment.

The release said that on the inaugural day of the workshop, M. Basavanna, retired professor of psychology of Sri Venkateshwara University, will deliver a special lecture on "The historical development of the concept of mental health."

More than 20 research papers will be presented at the workshop.

Experts such as B. Krishnamurthy, A. Kennedy of Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, Sudha Bhogle of Bangalore University, and C.G. Deshpande will deliver special lectures.

On the concluding day of the conference, P.A. Bhagwatwar and N.B. Havalappanavar will deliver lectures.

P.S. Shankar, Medical Director of the Basaveshwar Teaching and General Hospital will be the chief guest at the valedictory function.

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Conference on mental health next month

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