Quetta – October 15: A half-day seminar on "Mental Health at Workplace" was organized by the Department of Psychology under the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities at Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences (BUITEMS), Quetta. The event took place at the university’s Orange Hall, Main Campus, with participants from the academic and professional fields.
The seminar was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Abdul Wadood, Dean of Social Sciences and Humanities, who addressed the importance of mental health awareness in both professional and educational settings. The event was supported by Rotary Club Quetta, and Galaxy pharmaceuticals with Dr. Ahsan Achakzai delivering a welcome note to the audience on behalf of the Rotary Club organization.
The first session, led by Ms. Adeela Afridi, lecturer of psychology at BUITEMS, focused on the issue of burnout in the workplace. Ms. Afridi explained the challenges of burnout, particularly among students and faculty members, and provided insights into how to manage and prevent it. Next, Mr. Asmatullah Khan, Chairperson of the Psychology Department, conducted a session on stress management. He emphasized on the assessment of your personal stressors and the importance of mindfulness techniques in dealing with workplace stress and maintaining a good performance. A unique feature of the seminar was an interactive session on Laughter therapy conducted by Mr. M. Raza from the Danish Organization. This feel-good session had the entire audience smiling and served as a refreshing break.
A series of five short films, created by BUITEMS students, were screened during the seminar, highlighting various aspects of mental health. The university also hosted an Art exhibition on mental health, where students displayed thought-provoking pieces on the green carpet of BUITEMS. Additionally, stalls were set up for psychological tests, food, and art exhibits at the SS Block.
A key segment of the seminar was a panel discussion on “Psychological Safety, Work-Life Balance, and Coping with Work-Related Stress.” The panel featured Dr. Hazrat Ali Khan, Director of the Balochistan Institute of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (BIPBS), Hira Gulraiz, Clinical Psychologist and Lecturer at BUITEMS, and Sajjad Ahmed, President of the Balochistan Psychological Association. The session was moderated by Ms. Farheen Anjum, Lecturer of Psychology at BUITEMS.
The Vice Chancellor of BUITEMS graced the event and shared his views on the importance of mental health, stressing the need for a healthy work-life balance. He urged everyone to prioritize their mental well-being and focus on activities that offer long-term benefits in life. The seminar concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Ahsan Achakzai, followed by the distribution of shields and certificates. Attendees also visited stalls and an art exhibition, which contributed to a vibrant and engaging conclusion to the event.
The seminar was a valuable step toward increasing mental health awareness and fostering a healthier work environment at BUITEMS and beyond.