JAMMU, APRIL 24: Director Health Services Jammu Dr. Abdul Hamid Zargar on Friday released a Comprehensive book on Mental Health here at the chamber of the Directorate.
The launch event was held in the presence of Deputy Director Dentistry Dr. Sanjay Sharma; Chief Accounts Officer/Financial Advisor Rajni Gupta; State Tuberculosis Officer Jammu Dr. Jyoti Jolly; Assistant Director Dr. Simmi; Assistant Director Dr. Ila Gupta (Schemes) along with other officers and officials of the Directorate.
The book “Brief Manual (Sign & Symptoms) of Common Mental Disorders for Self Help Groups” is written by Dr. Ila Gupta (AD Schemes/ Nodal officer NMHP, DHSJ) and Dr. Akhil Menia (Psychiatrist and Divisional Nodal officer) to encourage Mental Health Awareness in the community settings.
The book is written in three languages (English, Hindi and Urdu) widely spoken across J&K (UT), so that peripheral health care workers working at community level can easily identify signs and symptoms of common Mental disorders (including substance use disorders) and help them provide timely intervention and referral for further treatment to the nearby government health facilities.
This initiative aims to strengthen grassroots-level healthcare by equipping frontline workers with practical knowledge for early detection. By improving awareness and recognition, the book is expected to facilitate timely intervention and ensure appropriate referral of patients to nearby government health facilities for further evaluation and treatment.
The Directorate emphasized that this effort reflects its continued commitment to enhancing Mental Healthcare Services and promoting accessible, inclusive and community-based care across the region.
