World Mental Health Day is celebrated on October 10th every year. In this regard, a Mental Health Week was implemented islandwide under the leadership of the Ministry of Buddhism, Religious and Cultural Affairs, National Integration, Social Security and Mass Media. The Kegalle District Advisory Program was held today (29) at the District Secretariat Auditorium under the patronage of District Secretary/Government Agent Ranjana Jayasinghe.

The theme of this year's Mental Health Day 2024 is "It's time to prioritize mental health in the workplace." Accordingly, awareness-raising activities were held throughout the day, aimed at building relationships and addressing issues that arise, as well as the importance of mental health for effective service.

The resource contribution for this was provided by Senior Lecturer, Clinical Psychologist Kanthi Hettigoda and Specialist Psychiatrist Anoma Jayasinghe of the University of Peradeniya. Also, Lecturer, Senior Counseling Psychotherapy Trainer Dharmasiri Mallikarachchi conducted several practical exercises for relieving mental stress.

In parallel with this counseling program, a District Psychological Counseling and Psychosocial Intervention Committee was also established with representation from several sectors including the District and Divisional Secretariats, Education, Police, Prisons, Health, and Social Services.

The District Psychological Counseling Division, including District Psychological Counseling Officer M.B.M. Iqbal, had organized this program.

Additional District Secretary (Administration) K.G. S. Nishantha, Additional District Secretary (Land) Dilip Nishantha, Assistant District Secretary, Chief Accountant, officers from the fields of education, police, prisons, health, social services, and psychological counseling officers from the district and divisional secretariats were present at the event.