Seminar on 'Mental Health'

A seminar on 'General Stress and the stresses of Pregnancy and Child Birth and its Effect on Mental Health' was organized by the Department of Public Health, State University of Bangladesh on Friday, February 10, 2012 at 10.30 am at Seminar Room of SUB.

Dr. Jeff Almony, Psychiatrist, Medical Director of Community Mental Health Center, Colorado, USA delivered the keynote paper in the Seminar. Dr. Nawzia Yasmin, Head and Academic Program Director, Department of Public Health, SUB conducted the Seminar. Professor Dr. Harun-Ar-Rashid, Professor of Public Health & Research Management & Director, Research & International Collaboration, SUB, Dr Kris Prenger, Advisor, LAMB Hospital, Bangladesh and Dr. Suman Lahiry, Assistant Professor, Institute of Health Economics, University of Dhaka attended the program as discussants.

In his presentation, Dr Almony presented the empirical causes and dynamics of general stress and showed a cross-cultural comparison between developed and developing countries. While talking on the stress related to pregnancy and child birth, he emphasized on preventive aspects of stress at national and international levels while Dr Kris Prenger of the LAMB Hospital highlighted the importance of organized social movement on the issue as most of the success in this issue depends on community support. Dr Almony also added that among the other stressors, domestic violence, low social status complicate the stress status during pregnancy and child birth in least developed countries.

Faculty members and students of the MPH Program participated in the lively and interactive Seminar. Dr Yasmin offered the vote of thanks and gifts to Dr Almony and Dr Kris Prenger as a token of appreciation from SUB.