World Mental Health Day 2026 observed at MDKG College, Dibrugarh.

World Mental Health Day 2026 was observed on 10 October 2026 by the Psychological Counselling Cell, Psychological Counselling Committee, and Department of Psychology, in association with the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of Manohari Devi Kanoi Girls’ College (MDKG College), Dibrugarh. The programme aimed to promote mental health awareness among students and faculty members through an activity-based session on life skills, entitled ‘Exploring Life Skills’ and two skits, ‘Sahir Arar Kothabur’ and ‘Aparichit’, performed by students of the Department of Psychology. These activities sought to highlight the importance of emotional well-being, self-awareness, empathy, and effective coping strategies in maintaining mental health and fostering a supportive and inclusive society.

The programme was compered by Dr. Rupali Majumder, Coordinator of the Psychological Counselling Cell, along with Mrs. Neetimoni Sonowal and Saujanya Baruah, faculty members of the Department of Psychology, MDKG College.

In her introductory remarks, Dr. Rupali Majumder outlined the major objective of the programme to raise awareness among students about mental health, encourage open discussions on psychological challenges, and help eliminate the stigma associated with mental health issues. Mrs.Neetimoni Sonowal highlighted the importance of observing World Mental Health Day to create awareness about psychological well-being and to encourage students to speak openly about their emotional challenges without fear or hesitation. She emphasised that promoting empathy, mutual support, and a positive attitude towards mental health is essential for building a compassionate and psychologically healthy society. Miss Vaishnavi Pradhan,a student of Psychology Department highlighted the theme of this year Mental Health Day ‘Lived experience heard: real voices, real change’.  Saujanya Baruah, familiarised students with essential life skills that strengthen emotional resilience, promote positive interpersonal relationships, and enable them to cope effectively with everyday challenges.

Dr. Anup Jyoti Bharali, Principal of MDKG College, delivered the inaugural address, highlighting the significance of mental health awareness in contemporary society. He emphasised that mental well-being is an essential component of overall health and that a healthy mind contributes to the development of a healthy, harmonious, and progressive society. He also underscored the importance of creating an environment in which individuals feel encouraged to acknowledge their emotional difficulties and seek appropriate support when necessary.

Following the inaugural address, the Vice-Principal of the college, Anirudha Dutta, addressed the august gathering of students and faculty members. In his address, he highlighted the importance of emotional well-being, mutual understanding, and a supportive educational environment in fostering the holistic development of students. He encouraged students to develop a positive outlook towards life, cultivate healthy relationships, and recognise that mental health deserves the same attention and care as physical health.

Dr. Ashwini Machey, in his address, observed that the wealth of a nation cannot be measured solely in terms of material prosperity and economic progress. The mental well-being, emotional stability, and overall quality of life of its citizens are equally important indicators of national development. He emphasised that mentally healthy individuals contribute to a more productive, compassionate, and responsible society, thereby laying the foundation for a healthy and prosperous nation.

An important highlight of the programme was the distribution of specially designed badges commemorating World Mental Health Day. The badges were designed and created by students of the Department of Psychology, reflecting their creativity and active participation in promoting mental health awareness. The badges were distributed among faculty members and students, symbolising a collective commitment to psychological well-being and the creation of a more supportive campus community.

The programme entitled, “Exploring Life Skills,” conducted by Dr. Moutusi Bagchi, Associate Professor, Department of Geography, MDKG College, who served as the resource person. The session focused on the significance of life skills in maintaining mental health, developing emotional resilience, and leading a healthy and balanced life.

The discussion centred on the ten core life skills recognised by the World Health Organization: self-awareness, empathy, critical thinking, creative thinking, decision-making, problem-solving, effective communication, interpersonal relationship skills, coping with emotions, and coping with stress. Through interactive activities and practical engagement, the session illustrated how these skills can help individuals understand themselves and others, make informed decisions, resolve conflicts constructively, and respond to challenging situations with greater confidence and emotional maturity.

Dr. Bagchi particularly emphasised three interconnected dimensions of life skills: thinking skills, social skills, and emotional skills. Thinking skills enable individuals to analyse situations, evaluate alternatives, and make responsible decisions. Social skills facilitate effective communication, empathy, cooperation, and the development of meaningful relationships. Emotional skills help individuals recognise, understand, and regulate their emotions while managing stress and adversity. Together, these competencies contribute to psychological resilience, positive behaviour, and a healthier approach to everyday life.

The interactive nature of the session encouraged students to reflect on their personal experiences and recognise the practical relevance of life skills in academic, social, and personal contexts. It reinforced the understanding that mental health is not merely the absence of mental illness but also the presence of emotional balance, positive relationships, self-awareness, and the ability to cope with life’s challenges. Before the presentation of the two skits, the students and teachers collectively took a pledge to cultivate compassion and empathy and to listen attentively to the genuine feelings and concerns of others. A counselling booth was also set up on the occasion to facilitate students in booking appointments for counselling services and to encourage them to seek psychological support whenever needed. The two skits, ‘Sahir Arar Kothabur’ and ‘Aparichit’, performed by the students, received enthusiastic applause and widespread appreciation from the students, teaching faculty, and non-teaching staff. The performances effectively conveyed meaningful messages related to mental health awareness, mental disorders, human emotions, making the audience reflect on the importance of empathy, understanding, emotional well-being and proper treatment by psychiatrist whenever it needed.