Depression discussed in PGI public forum

A public forum on depression at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) drew huge crowds on Thursday to ask institute experts questions about depression and mental disorders. The public forum was held as a part of PGI's Golden Jubilee Celebrations and was organised by the Department of Psychiatry on the topic: 'Depression: A Global Crisis', which was chosen as World Mental Health Day was on October 10.

The program was inaugurated by prof NN Wig, founder of the Psychiatry Department and an emeritus professor. He talked about the importance of recognising and diagnosing depression as a distinct entity from normal fluctuations in mood, the changing aspects of depression and the importance of de-stigmatising the disorder. He emphasised that depression can be treated and it is important to seek help.

Prof Rajesh Gill, professor and HoD of Sociology in PU, talked about depression from a sociological perspective and touched upon the very relevant topic of loneliness of the modern human being despite better technological aids and social networking.

Justice K Kannan of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, who has vast experience in jurisprudence and medico-legal matters, talked about the the Mental Health Act and the safeguards against violations of Human Rights of the mentally ill and those whose human rights are violated by misuse of the provisions of the Mental Health Act.

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