The Department of Psychiatry, Madurai Medical College, celebrated World Mental Health Day 2026 here on Friday.
The programme highlighted the importance of mental health awareness, accessible treatment, and the voices of people living with mental health conditions.
The event, themed, “Lived Experiences Heard; Real Voices, Real Change,” emphasised the need to listen to patients, recognise their experiences, and place their perspectives at the heart of mental health care.
Delivering the welcome address, S. John Xavier Sugadev, Professor and Head of the Department of Psychiatry, emphasised the significance of World Mental Health Day. He highlighted its vital role in fostering global awareness about mental health issues, reducing the stigma associated with mental illness, and urging policymakers and government organisations to prioritise mental health and well-being.
He highlighted this year’s theme “Lived experiences “ meant that not only listening to patients suffering with mental illnesses, their experiences should be considered as an expertise. Patients with lived experiences should be involved in policy making and establishment of mental health facilities.
The Chief Guest, L. Arul Sundaresh Kumar, Dean, Madurai Medical College highlighted that healthcare extends beyond the diagnosis and treatment of illnesses, underscoring the need to understand patients’ emotional experiences, respect their dignity, and treat them with kindness and sensitivity.
He emphasised that compassionate care, particularly in mental health, plays a vital role in building trust between patients and healthcare professionals, fostering a supportive therapeutic relationship, and promoting recovery.
A major highlight of the programme was an interactive session during which patients who had recovered from mental health conditions shared their personal experiences, with family members also participating in the discussion.
Their experiences offered insights into the emotional, social, and familial dimensions of mental illness, the difficulties associated with seeking and continuing treatment, and the role of sustained support in recovery.
By sharing their experiences in their own words, patients helped bring attention to an essential message: recovery is not merely about the reduction of symptoms; it is also about regaining confidence, rebuilding relationships, restoring independence, and returning to meaningful participation in everyday life.
Mental health conditions require understanding, timely professional assessment, and appropriate treatment rather than criticism or isolation.
The experiences shared during the programme reinforced the value of approaching patients with patience and empathy, particularly during periods when symptoms or functional difficulties persist.
The programme underscored the importance of helping families understand mental illness as a health condition that deserves appropriate treatment and compassionate support, said organisers.
V. Geethaanjali, Professor, Department of Psychiatry, delivered a session on “Overcoming the Barrier: The Way Forward,” focusing on approaches to improving access to mental health care.
The CME sessions complemented the patient interaction by connecting livid experiences with the broader responsibilities of healthcare systems and society.
They highlighted the importance of reducing stigma, improving mental health literacy, strengthening access to services, and ensuring that patients and families receive appropriate guidance throughout the course of treatment.
Published – October 09, 2026 07:30 pm IST
