By Musarrat Arif
KARACHI: A seminar aimed at building life skills in youth and raising awareness about mental health and substance use was held on Tuesday at Karachi University. Organized by the Institute of Clinical Psychology and supported by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan and the World Bank, the event took place at the KU Chinese Teachers Memorial Auditorium. The seminar focused on equipping young people with the knowledge and skills needed to handle difficult situations, address misconceptions about substance use and mental health, and promote self-confidence and communication skills. It also aimed to create a supportive educational environment for health-promoting behaviors.
Professor Dr. Khalid Mahmood Iraqi emphasized the importance of addressing corruption and merit issues within society to create a safe and inclusive environment. He highlighted the need for improving the education system to better prepare citizens. Dr. Muzaffar Ali, a wellness counselor, described addiction as a chronic mental illness and noted that many people mistakenly believe they can quit drugs on their own. He stressed that drug use often worsens stress. Anchorperson Rizwan Jafar encouraged the youth to focus on their strengths and talents rather than being discouraged by criticism. He called for a society based on equality and truth.
Dr. Hira Mukhtar from Aga Khan University Hospital highlighted the need to provide opportunities for Pakistan’s young population to contribute positively to society. She emphasized effective emotion management and problem-solving. Professor Dr. Shaista Tabasim pointed out that a lack of awareness is a major factor in drug use, especially among uneducated individuals who are unaware of the consequences.
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