Jamia holds workshop on mental health to break stigma, promote inclusion

The Centre for the Study of Social Inclusion (CSSI) and the Office of the Dean, Academic Affairs, Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), in collaboration with COTO (Come Together), organised a special workshop titled ‘Mental Health, Breaking Stigma and Promoting Social Inclusion’ as part of Mental Health Week.

The one-day workshop brought together eminent dignitaries, mental health experts and academicians to raise awareness about mental well-being and promote social inclusion.

Prof Tanuja highlighted the 2025 Supreme Court judgement which upheld mental health as an integral part of the Right to Life under Article 21 and emphasised on accepting, normalising and overcoming mental health issues. Prof Md Mahtab Alam Rizvi spoke about the importance of mental well-being in educational spaces and the community’s role as a support system.

The keynote speaker, former Union Minister Alphons Kannanthanam, remarked that “every individual carried a little insanity and that was what made everyone unique and special - to dare and to dream.” The chief guest, Katharina Wieser, Ambassador of Austria to India, called mental health a global issue and underlined the need to seek professional support.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Mazhar Asif, in his presidential address, reflected on the capability and worthiness of every single individual to bring in a change. The session also witnessed the release of the book ‘Green and Clean Delhi’, jointly published by CSSI and Haryali Centre for Rural Development.

The valedictory address by Dr Majid Ahmed Talikoti stressed that like major physical ailments, mental health issues too were treatable and curable. The workshop was attended by over 500 participants.