Page 29 - GCU Quarterly
P. 29
HIGHLIGHTS
2020
Government College
University Lahore
Governor opens Punjab
Mental Health Helpline at GCU
u n j a b G o ve r n o r a n d universities with their competent vice
Chancellor Chaudhr y chancellors were playing an effective
PM u h a m m a d S a r w a r role in fighting coronavirus outbreak. Page 28
inaugurated the Punjab Mental He appreciated that GCU had been
Health Helpline which would at the forefront of the fight against
provide online counselling to the Coronavirus; it established a
people suffering from depression, quarantine centre for 364 people and
anxiety or other mental health 200 bed hospital at its Kala Shah
issues across Pakistan due to Kaku Campus besides providing
Coronavir us outbreak and 25,000 liters disinfectant and 500
subsequent lockdown. liters hand sanitizers to hospitals
The Helpline (0304-1110063) is across Punjab.
established by the Government Vice Chancellor Prof. Asghar Zaidi
College University Lahore under the said that coronavirus affects not just
auspices of its Psychology the physical health but also mental
Department. Vice-Chancellor Prof. health; doctors and paramedics are
Dr Asghar Zaidi briefed the playing a most significant part and
governor about the working of the now expert clinical psychologists
Helpline at a graceful ceremony in start offering their services to
the GCU's Syndicate Committee counter mental health issues.
Room. He said that the Mental Health
Speaking on the occasion, the Helpline would be a great service by
governor proudly said that GCU had GCU to their nation in helping them
set up Punjab's first tele-counseling deal with mental stress, negative
center which was a milestone thinking, future uncer tainty,
addition to their already existed 30 depression, etc.
other telemedicine centers. He said The Vice Chancellor said that their
that he had established first qualified clinical psychologists are
telemedicine helpline on March 19, providing counseling services to
2020, and to-date more than 80,000 relieve the effects of stress and
people had benefitted from these anxiety, management of isolation
telemedicine helplines. anxiety, building resilience, coping
He said merit appointments were with activity restriction, dealing with
the key to progress; he had Hypochondria and Cyber-chondria
appointed all vice chancellors on and supportive psychotherapy for
merit and now in these crucial times, dealing with illness anxiety and fear.