RAWALPINDI, Oct 26 (APP):Transforming lived experiences into actionable institutional support and mental health policy is vital for real change and wellbeing, experts emphasized at concluding event of ‘MindFest-2026 Conference’, hosted by Fatima Jinnah Women University’s (FJWU) Mental Health Fortnight on Monday.
Under the theme “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change,” the conference focused on strengthening mental health awareness, advancing social inclusion and building structured wellness frameworks for young professionals and academic communities.
The major highlight of the event was a panel discussion titled “From Lived Experiences to Meaningful Change: Listening, Inclusion and Action. Panelists stressed that addressing modern mental health challenges requires integrating real individual experiences directly into national healthcare strategy, policy design, and campus support systems.
They underlined the need for cognitive based activities as tools for healthy brain, adding that conscience links directly with mental health which remains dependent on human psychology.
Moreover, the speakers also urged the concerned quarters at policy level that a national drive creating awareness regarding mental health is vital for bringing real behavioural change in the society.
The expert panel featured leading healthcare authorities and psychologists, including former FJWU Pro-Vice Chancellor and former Director of the Women Research and Resource Centre Prof. Dr. Iftikhar un Nisa Hassan; National Technical Advisor for the Mental Health Strategic Planning and Coordination Unit at the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Dr. Asma Humayun; and Head of Department and Senior Speech Pathologist at NIRM, IMR Consultant, and Founder-Board Member of the Pakistan Speech and Language Pathologist Association Dr. Sadaf Noveen.
The event, which marked the culmination of the University’s Mental Health Fortnight was organized jointly by the Department of Behavioral Sciences, the Health and Wellbeing Society, and the Counselling and Wellness Centre.
The conclusion of the conference reaffirmed FJWU’s broader initiative to drive mental health advocacy forward and establish a supportive, inclusive, and mentally resilient environment for youth and healthcare practitioners nationwide.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
