On the occasion of World Schizophrenia Day, the Mental Health Nursing Department of Himalayan College of Nursing organized a Seminar on the theme “Connecting with Hope” on 25th May 2022. It was underlined on the day that ‘unashamed conversation’ relating to mental health can majorly help in managing it.
The seminar was graced by the presence of Dr Sanchita Pugazhendi, Principal, Himalayan College of Nursing as the Chief Guest, along with the HODs of various departments of Himalayan College of Nursing.
The seminar commenced with the lighting of the lamp by the Chief Guest along with other dignitaries and recital of Guru Vandana by the student nurses, which was followed by the delivery of welcome address by J Manoranjini, Faculty, Mental Health Nursing Department. It was emphasized on the day that mental health was as important as physical health.
During the address by the chief guest, Dr Sanchita Pugazhendi highlighted the importance of nurses in managing patients with schizophrenia and also emphasized creating awareness in the community about it, as the disorder had a great impact on patients and on the caregivers as well.
Dr. Grace M. Singh, HoD, Mental Health Nursing Dept, highlighted the main focus of the seminar - to sensitize student nurses and instill hope in the caregivers and also the patients suffering from schizophrenia that they can lead a normal life provided they take proper treatment for it, adopt a healthy lifestyle, attend rehabilitation & awareness programs in community which will build hope in dealing proactively with schizophrenia and with this we can connect the issue of mental health with assurance of healing.
The seminar covered the topics of Schizophrenia risk factors, genetic factors, maternal factors, alteration in neurotransmitters and viral infection and pathophysiology, its symptomatology and importance of giving hope to patients and their relatives.
The seminar was conducted by students of M.Sc. Nursing of the Mental Health Department under the supervision of the faculty of Mental Health Nursing Department, Sandhya Negi, Jayant Gideon and Krishan Mohan.
