The need to instill hope in the minds of people suffering from schizophrenia was stressed at a program organised to observe World Schizophrenia Day at the Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital on Tuesday.

“There is a need to instill hope in the minds of the patient and the caregiver so that they can come out of this situation,” Prof. (Dr.) Gangadhar Sahoo, Pro-Vice Chancellor of SOA and Dean of IMS and SUM Hospital, said.

Prof. (Dr.) Pusparaj Samantasinhar, Medical Superintendent of the hospital, who also addressed the program focused on the rising mental health issues among the people in the aftermath of the pandemic. He encouraged psychiatrists to look for ways to ensure earlier detection of mental illnesses while assuring to provide the necessary support in the hospital.

Prof. (Dr.) Surjeet Sahoo, Head of the department of Psychiatry, said there was a need to change the perspective of the common man towards schizophrenia as a disease. Prof. (Dr.) Suvendu Narayan Mishra, professor in the department, stressed on the importance of the family as a support system to schizophrenia patients.

Faculty members in the department including Dr. Soumya Ranjan Dash, Dr. Amiya Krushna Sahu, Dr. Jitendriya Biswal, Dr. Rakesh Mohanty and Dr. Hiranmaya Mohapatra also spoke. Post graduate trainees conducted an awareness program on the occasion. Dr. Lagnajit Dash proposed the vote of thanks.