Mind Mela 2024 - Mental Health Week Celebrations

Mind Mela the annual Mental Health Week (4^th to 10^th October) celebrations were organized by the Department of Psychiatry, AIIMS.

**1. Daily Awareness Activities:**

Throughout the week, the OPD waiting area was transformed into an informative space where daily awareness activities were undertaken. Patients and caregivers received valuable information about various mental health disorders, including symptoms, treatment options, and coping strategies. The interactive sessions allowed attendees to ask questions, fostering a supportive environment.

**2. Fun Awareness Activities for Students:**

Two major activities were conducted to engage students creatively:

- **Psychflix:** A movie with the central theme of substance use disorder was screened for the students followed by an interactive discussion on 5^th October 2024.

The bright Sunday morning of 6^th October saw the campus buzzing with students in teams to solve clues related to various mental health topics, combining physical and mental challenges in **Run Amok**: A psychiatry-themed treasure hunt.  

**3. Expansion of Patient Care Services:**

The Mental Health Day 10^th October was marked by the inauguration of the Sexual Health and Wellness Clinic and the monthly Mental Health Outreach OPD at UHTC Nandanvan by Dr. Prof. PP Joshi, Executive Director & CEO AIIMS Nagpur. The Sexual Health and Wellness Clinic will be a multidisciplinary service by Psychiatry in collaboration with the Departments of General Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Urology, Endocrinology, and Plastic Surgery. The Mental Health Outreach OPD, a collaboration of the Department of Psychiatry & Community Outreach OPD at RHTC Bela was inaugurated for UHTC Nandanvan on this occasion. Dr Joshi emphasized the institution's commitment to enhancing health services. The event was followed by award ceremony for the winners of Run Amok, the treasure hunt. Prizes and medals were awarded to the winners and runners-up by Dr. Prof. P.P. Joshi, Executive Director & CEO, AIIMS Nagpur, Dr. Siddharth Dubhashi (Dean, Student Welfare), Dr. Pradeep Deshmukh (Dean, Research, and HOD, Community Medicine).

**4. Patient and Caregiver Activity:**

A special session – “पऊलवाट” focused on skill development, employment opportunities and disability benefits for persons with mental illness. The guest speaker Smt. Sunanda Bajaj, Assistant Commissioner, District Skills Development, Employment and Entrepreneurship Guidance centre, Nagpur was welcomed by Dr. Seema Parvekar (Medical Superintendent). Mrs Bajaj offered insights into navigating the job market and accessing government benefits. This was followed by an interactive session with patients and caregivers about their issues regarding employment and disability, and a virtual release of a brochure summarizing key facts covered in this session.