Child Psychiatry Conference Calls for Stronger Health-Education Collaboration in Jammu Kashmir

SRINAGAR: The two-day National Conference on Child Psychiatry (NCPC) 2025 concluded at the auditorium of SKIMS Medical College Hospital (MCH) Bemina on Saturday, with experts calling for sustained collaboration between the health and education sectors to strengthen child and adolescent mental health care.

Organised by the Department of Psychiatry, SKIMS-MCH Bemina, in association with the Indian Association of Private Psychiatry (IAPP), the conference revolved around the theme “Prevention to Intervention: Evidence-based Strategies for Child Mental Health.” The event brought together eminent speakers from across India and abroad, who deliberated on prevention strategies, clinical interventions, and the role of teachers, parents, and medical professionals in addressing child mental health challenges.

The conference featured workshops, invited lectures, panel discussions, interactive quizzes, and research presentations by scholars. On the second day, sessions included deliberations on community-based prevention strategies by Alisha Arora from CIP Ranchi, resilience building by training teachers, behavioural addiction led by a team from NIMHANS Bengaluru, and experiences from the Child Guidance Well-being Centre Kashmir shared by Dr Zaid A Wani. Other technical discussions focused on child psychopharmacology and screening for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among school-going children.

The inaugural function was graced by Prof (Dr) A G Ahangar, former Director SKIMS, alongside guest of honour Dr Gautam Saha and Dr Murgesh Vaishnav, National President and Hon. General Secretary of IAPP. The event was also attended by Prof (Dr) Mohd Ashraf Ganai, Director SKIMS, Principal SKIMS-MCH Prof (Dr) Fazalul Qadir Parray, Dean SKIMS, Dr G M Gulzar, and office bearers of IAPP. Dr Salim Khan, President of the Jammu and Kashmir Medical Council, was also present. The JK Medical Council accredited the conference with eight CME credit hours.

In his address, Director SKIMS underlined the importance of establishing a dedicated Brain Research Centre for advanced studies in psychiatry, while the Principal SKIMS-MCH emphasised nurturing positive parent-child relationships. He further assured continued institutional support for psychiatry initiatives.

The valedictory session saw Principal Prof Fazalul Qadir Parray urging a shift towards recognising and nurturing the individual capabilities of children, rather than imposing rigid authoritarian models of parenting and teaching. National President IAPP Dr Murgesh Vaishnav appreciated the efforts of the organising committee and stressed the inclusion of the School Education Department in future programmes, terming teachers as the first responders for vulnerable children.

Participants included faculty, residents, and medical students from various institutions across the Valley, along with lecturers and teachers from psychology streams. Their feedback strongly endorsed the initiative, highlighting the need for regular repetition of such programmes. Experts recommended greater collaboration between the Health and Education departments and proposed a dedicated workshop in October 2025, subject to necessary approvals.

The event opened with a welcome address by Prof (Dr) Abdul Majid, Head of Psychiatry and Organising Secretary of the conference, while the vote of thanks was delivered by Dr Nizam-ud-din Dar, Honorary Treasurer of the conference.

In their concluding remarks, organisers Dr Abdul Majid and Dr Nizam-ud-din thanked the faculty, delegates, and Directorate of School Education for their active involvement, calling the event a milestone in promoting awareness, training, and intervention in child and adolescent mental health.