By Our Correspondent
LAHORE: A major awareness seminar on the topic of “Adolescent Mental Health” was held at Government Queen Mary Graduate College on the instructions of DPI and Director Colleges in connection with the anti-drug campaign. The seminar was organized by the Department of Psychology in collaboration with Pakistan Institute of Living and Learning, with the aim of creating awareness among students about mental health and drug prevention.
The event was attended by Dr. Maria Ali, Drug Abuse Prevention Specialist affiliated with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and Major Muhammad Nazir, Deputy Director (Drug Demand Reduction) of the Narcotics Control Department Punjab, as special guests, while the event was presided over by Principal Professor Dr. Sidra Aamir.
Major Muhammad Nazir, in his address, said that drugs are a scourge that is rapidly engulfing our young generation. He urged parents and teachers to give time to children, keep an eye on them and listen to their problems seriously. He said that intoxicants have been prohibited in all religions and collective efforts are indispensable for the establishment of a healthy society.
Principal Professor Dr. Sidra Amir said in her presidential address that such seminars are the need of the hour. She said that instead of limiting students to only curricular education, it is important to focus on their mental and emotional training so that they can become citizens with a balanced and positive personality. She appreciated the efforts of the Department of Psychology and expressed her determination that such activities will be continued in educational institutions.
Dr. Maria Ali said in her address that students should talk about their problems and emotions instead of suppressing them and seek timely guidance. She shed detailed light on the growing trend, causes and harms of vaping and other drugs and said that collective awareness is indispensable to protect the youth from these dangers.
Dr. Shazia Aslam, in her address, said that adolescence (10 to 19 years) is a very sensitive stage of human life, in which young people face various psychological, emotional and educational pressures. She said that if problems are not resolved in time during this period, they can later take the form of mental illnesses, depression and anxiety. She said that drug use is often the result of such unresolved psychological problems, therefore awareness, timely guidance and treatment are very important.
She added that having a healthy mind is very important for a healthy society. Students should learn to express their emotions, adopt a positive attitude and do not leave each other alone. If someone is angry or depressed, they should be talked to and guided. She emphasized that “talking is the key”. She added that instead of staying alone, talk. Because talking solves problems.
An interactive session was also held during the seminar in which students asked open questions and sought guidance on their problems.
At the end of the event, commemorative shields were presented to the distinguished guests while Dr. Shazia Aslam thanked the guests, teachers and students. The experts emphasized that students should express their feelings, support each other and seek help instead of being alone in case of any problem so that a healthy and safe society can be created.
