Mental health is real health, says UHSR VC at awareness drive; Poster exhibition highlights suicide prevention, exam stress, social media addiction
Mental health deserves the same attention as physical health, Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma University of Health Sciences (UHSR) Vice-Chancellor Dr H.K. Aggarwal said on Saturday at a poster exhibition organised by the Department of Psychiatry at PGIMS Rohtak to mark World Mental Health Day.
Girish Saini
Oct 10, 2026 11:13
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Rohtak, October 10, 2026: Mental health deserves the same attention as physical health, Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma University of Health Sciences (UHSR) Vice-Chancellor Dr H.K. Aggarwal said on Saturday at a poster exhibition organised by the Department of Psychiatry at PGIMS Rohtak to mark World Mental Health Day.
Inaugurating the exhibition at the New OPD lobby, Dr Aggarwal urged people to overcome the stigma surrounding mental illness and seek timely professional help. He said stress, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders and substance addiction should not be ignored, adding that seeking help was a sign of courage, not weakness. He also encouraged young people to discuss their concerns with family members, friends or doctors instead of viewing failure as the end of life.
Medical Superintendent Dr Sudhir Atri said mental illness should be treated like diabetes or hypertension rather than dismissed as a sign of weakness. The posters showcased issues including suicide prevention, examination stress, mobile and social media addiction, post-partum depression and loneliness among the elderly.
Dr Sujata Sethi, head of the Department of Psychiatry and director-cum-CEO of the Institute of Mental Health, said the department was conducting counselling camps, stress-management workshops and awareness drives in schools, colleges and villages. She urged people to exercise regularly, get seven to eight hours of sleep, avoid substance abuse, spend quality time with family and talk to someone rather than remain isolated when feeling low.
Dr Aggarwal felicitated students for their best posters. Doctors, nursing staff, and MBBS and psychology students attended the event.
