Venkateshwara Institute of Medical Sciences inaugurates ‘Mental Health Awareness Week-2025’ with grandeur

 Venkateshwara Institute of Medical Sciences inaugurates ‘Mental Health Awareness Week-2025’ with grandeur

Theme focuses on ‘Protecting Mental Health with the Community’; seminars, street plays, competitions, and awareness drives planned throughout the week

Meerut — The Venkateshwara Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS) and Multispeciality Hospital, under Shri Venkateshwara University located on National Highway Bypass, witnessed a grand inauguration of the ‘Mental Health Awareness Week-2025’ (October 6–10) on Monday. The five-day campaign, themed “Protecting Mental Health with the Community,” will feature seminars, street plays, poster competitions, awareness rallies, and several other events aimed at promoting mental well-being and community engagement.

The inauguration ceremony was graced by Dr. Rajeev Tyagi, Pro-Chancellor; Prof. (Dr.) Krishnakant Dave, Vice-Chancellor; Dr. Sanjeev Bhatt, Dean, Medical; Prof. (Dr.) Suresh G. Mehta, Chief Medical Superintendent; and Prof. (Dr.) Sandeep Chaudhary, Head of the Psychiatry Department. The dignitaries jointly lit the ceremonial lamp before the idol of Goddess Saraswati, marking the auspicious beginning of the awareness week.

An engaging street play and song performance by MBBS student Aniket Pant and his team highlighted the importance of mental health in personality development. This was followed by a thought-provoking lecture on “Community Mental Health Awareness” delivered by Dr. Udit Singh, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry. Dr. Singh emphasized the importance of collective efforts and community-based initiatives in strengthening mental health outreach.

The event concluded with a melodious musical performance by MBBS students, creating an atmosphere filled with positivity and enthusiasm. The programme was anchored by Dr. Kriti Kanwar, Clinical Psychologist, and Dr. Shreya Sharma, Junior Resident, Department of Psychiatry.

In her closing remarks, Dr. Kriti Kanwar expressed gratitude to all guests and participants, stating, “The Psychiatry Department at VIMS is consistently working to promote mental well-being not only within the hospital but also at the community level through outreach programs, mental health clinics, and workshops.” She urged everyone to play an active role in developing a positive social attitude toward mental health and eliminating stigma.

Educationist Sudhir Giri, Founder-Chairman of the Venkateshwara Group, emphasized the vital role of awareness campaigns in building a healthy society. He said, “Mental health camps, workshops, and awareness initiatives help create a respectful and positive perspective toward mental wellness, which will bring a significant improvement in national mental health indicators.”

Dr. Rajeev Tyagi, Pro-Chancellor, announced that “Venkateshwara’s Department of Psychiatry will soon evolve into a ‘Centre of Excellence,’ driven by research, expert psychiatrists, psychologists, and mental health counsellors of international repute.”

Highlighting the therapeutic aspect, Prof. (Dr.) Suresh G. Mehta, Chief Medical Superintendent, stated, “Alongside medication, advanced counselling and psychotherapeutic interventions play a crucial role in the effective treatment of mental disorders.”

Meanwhile, Prof. (Dr.) Sandeep Chaudhary, Head of the Psychiatry Department, stressed that “Positive societal perception and acceptance of mental health are key to long-term improvement in psychological well-being.”

The inaugural ceremony was attended by Dr. Chitrajeet Singh Juneja, Dr. Kriti Tanwar, Dr. Vivek Pathak, Dr. Snehangi, Dr. Vidisha, Dr. Gajal, Dr. Mayank, Dr. Prerna, Dr. Anmol, Dr. Pratap Singh (Director, Meerut Campus), and Vishwas Rana, Media Coordinator, along with several senior doctors, faculty members, and students.

The week-long series of events will continue to raise awareness about mental health through interactive workshops, discussions, and cultural programmes, reinforcing Venkateshwara’s commitment to community-based mental health promotion.