11/10/2025
World Mental Health Day 2025
To mark World Mental Health Day 2025, the Indian Institute of Public Health–Hyderabad (IIPHH) hosted an insightful panel discussion on October 10, 2025, centered on this year’s theme: “Access to Services – Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies.”
Experts from diverse organizations — including Inner-Connect, Praan Mental Wellness Hyderabad, Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU), Global Health X (GHX), and Indian Institute of Public Health Hyderabad came together to discuss the critical need for inclusive and responsive mental health services during humanitarian emergencies such as natural disasters, armed conflicts, and public health crises.
IIPH Hyderabad was proud to host a powerful discussion that explored how community-based MHPSS models, tiered interventions, and cross-sector collaborations can strengthen mental health responses and ensure care reaches those most vulnerable when it’s needed most.
The event opened with an Inaugural Keynote Address by Dr. Vishnu Vardhana Rao Mendu, Officiating Vice Chancellor, followed by a compelling talk by Gracy Andrew, Clinical Psychologist and Head – Training, IIPHH. She traced the evolution of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) in humanitarian crises — from PTSD-focused clinical models to today’s integrated, community-driven approaches. Her reflections underscored key gaps in India’s disaster response and the urgent need for skill-based capacity building, particularly around climate emergencies and conflict-driven displacement.
The panel discussion was graciously moderated by Dr.Nirupama A Y and reaffirmed the importance of integrating mental health services within public health systems to make them more accessible during emergencies and to strengthen community resilience strategies.
