PESHAWAR
\nThe Department of Social Welfare, Merged Districts, in collaboration with the Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC) at the University of Agriculture Peshawar, and with the support of UNICEF, celebrated World Mental Health Day 2025 under the theme \u201cTogether for Mental Health Support, Strength, and Solidarity as Youth, Children, and Adolescents.\u201d
\nThe event emphasized the importance of strengthening mental health support systems for young people, particularly those affected by crises such as conflicts, natural disasters, and public health emergencies.
\nIt brought together students, faculty members, government officials, civil society representatives, and child protection practitioners.
\nThe program began with the recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by welcoming remarks from Jehan Bakht, Vice Chancellor of the University of Agriculture Peshawar, who highlighted that mental well-being is an essential part of both education and overall health.
\nIn her address, Sumbal Gillani, Child Protection Officer at UNICEF, reaffirmed UNICEF\u2019s commitment to promoting mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) for children, adolescents, and youth in humanitarian settings.
\nShe stressed that \u201cchild protection and mental health are inseparable\u201d and underscored the importance of building resilient communities through prevention and protection efforts.
\nKeynote sessions and panel discussions covered topics such as \u201cPromoting Mental Health among Youth and Adolescents\u201d and \u201cThe Role of Child Protection in Promoting Mental Wellbeing in Humanitarian Situations.\u201d
\nSpeakers included Sumbal Gillani, UNICEF, Ubaid ur Rahman, Department of Rural Sociology, Bashir Chief Proctor, and Bilal Institute of Peace & Development Studies, University of Peshawar.
\nThey emphasized collaborative approaches to strengthening community-based mental health care and resilience.
\nA powerful theatre performance by professional artists depicted the emotional impact of mental health challenges during crises, followed by a Youth Sharing Session, \u201cVoices of Resilience,\u201d where young participants shared personal stories of hope and recovery.
\nIn his closing remarks, Sohail Ahmad, Child Protection Specialist at UNICEF, called for inclusive and accessible mental health services for all, especially for children and adolescents affected by emergencies.
\nHe highlighted the importance of sustained collaboration between government departments, academia, and development partners to strengthen mental health and child protection systems.
\nHe also announced the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between UNICEF and the University of Peshawar to implement joint initiatives promoting child protection, welfare, and psychosocial well-being.
\nThe event concluded with a collective pledge for mental health awareness.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
PESHAWAR The Department of Social Welfare, Merged Districts, in collaboration with the Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC) at the University of Agriculture Peshawar, and with the support of UNICEF, celebrated World Mental Health Day 2025 under the theme \u201cTogether for Mental Health Support, Strength, and Solidarity as Youth, Children, and Adolescents.\u201d The event […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":511253,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-511232","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-peshawar"},"yoast_head":"\n