Baramulla: In a heartfelt push to destigmatize mental health and champion emotional resilience, Government Degree College (GDC) Baramulla brought its campus to life on Tuesday with an awareness campaign that combined clinical insight with creative expression. Organized by the Department of Psychology under the banner “RAAHAT: Hunnar-e Sukoon – An Open Arm Succour,” the event emphasized healing through conversation, empathy, and the arts.
The initiative unfolded with opening remarks by Dr. Kaiser Ahmad Dar, head of the Department of Psychology, who underscored the urgency of addressing mental health in an era marked by relentless pace and mounting stress. “Mental well-being is not optional,” Dr. Dar said. “It is as critical as physical health, and silence should never be the default.”
The campaign was supported wholeheartedly by the college’s leadership, with Principal Prof. Mohammad Shafi Lone delivering a presidential address that praised the department’s effort. “This is more than an event—it’s a movement,” he said. “It reflects our shared responsibility to create a campus culture rooted in empathy, support, and understanding.”
Faculty across disciplines joined in solidarity. Prof. Tariq Ahmad Chalkoo, Secretary of the Staff Council and head of the Physics Department, emphasized that cross-departmental collaboration is essential for fostering a mentally healthy academic environment. “It takes a coordinated community effort to normalize mental health conversations,” he noted.
Central to the day’s programming was a panel discussion featuring a diverse group of educators and mental health advocates, including Dr. Syed Mutahar Aqib, Dr. Abdul Majeed Bhat, Dr. Aaliya Akhtar, and Dr. Shahnawaz Mushtaq. The panelists addressed student concerns with clarity and compassion, covering themes from emotional regulation to the therapeutic value of active listening.
Participants then took their message to the campus grounds, where an in-house rally was flagged off by senior faculty members. Students and staff marched together carrying placards bearing slogans of solidarity, urging peers to prioritize mental health and seek help when needed.
But it was the student-performed street play that left the most indelible mark. Portraying the often invisible battles individuals face, the performance highlighted how human connection—through simple acts of kindness—can be transformative.
Dr. Shar Ul Nisa Haroon, one of the key organizers, shaped the event with sensitivity and structure, while Nazneen Bashir, a sixth-semester psychology major, closed the day with a poignant vote of thanks. Her words resonated with the crowd: “Today was not just about awareness; it was about building a culture of care.”
With “Rahat: Hunnar-e Sukoon”, GDC Baramulla has taken a bold step in aligning higher education with mental health advocacy, blending academic leadership with artistic empathy in a campaign that may well ripple beyond the college’s gates.
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