Srinagar, October 11: The Department of Psychiatry at SKIMS Medical College, Bemina, has launched a month-long Mental Health Awareness Campaign from October 10 to November 10, 2026, aimed at reducing stigma, improving access to mental healthcare and incorporating the lived experiences of patients into healthcare policies and services.
The campaign is being observed under the theme “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change,” highlighting the importance of involving individuals who have experienced mental health challenges in shaping mental health policies, planning services and improving treatment outcomes.
As part of the campaign, a team of mental health professionals led by Dr Nizam ud Din, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, along with Dr Gulzar Muzzaffar, Dr Abid Parvaiz and Mr Sameer Khan, organised an awareness-cum-treatment camp at Sub-District Hospital Tangdhar in Kupwara district.
During the camp, patients were assessed, free medicines were provided to those in need, and individuals requiring long-term care were linked with the Department of Psychiatry at SKIMS Medical College for continued treatment and follow-up.
The department has also initiated awareness programmes through Doordarshan, All India Radio, Greater Kashmir Communications and Red FM 93.5. Prof Abdul Majid, Head of the Department of Psychiatry and Sub-Dean at SKIMS Medical College, participated in these initiatives to promote informed public discussion on mental health.
The campaign will continue until November 10, with a series of awareness activities planned in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. The initiatives aim to address stigma and discrimination faced by people living with mental health conditions and their families, while encouraging patients and individuals with lived experiences to contribute to discussions on mental healthcare policies and service delivery.
Prof Abdul Majid expressed gratitude to Prof Mohammad Ashraf Ganie, Director SKIMS Soura; Prof Fazl ul Qadir Parray, Principal SKIMS Medical College; Dr Nighat Yasmeen, Director Health Services Kashmir; Dr Arif Khwaja, Block Medical Officer, SDH Tangdhar; and other concerned authorities for facilitating the initiatives.
The department also highlighted the availability of a 40-bedded inpatient facility at the newly developed centre, along with diagnostic testing facilities and various interventions and procedures aimed at strengthening psychiatric care.
Faculty members and staff expressed hope that the available facilities would enable patients to access comprehensive mental healthcare within Jammu and Kashmir and reduce the need to seek specialised treatment outside the Union Territory. The month-long campaign is currently underway and will conclude on November 10, 2026.
