In observance of World Mental Health Day 2025, Goa College of Home Science, in collaboration with the State Tele-MANAS Cell Goa, organized a thought-provoking workshop centered on this year’s global theme: ‘Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies’. The event emphasized the need for timely, accessible, and inclusive mental health care, especially during times of disaster, crisis, or public emergency.
The session brought together students, faculty, mental health professionals, and public health advocates to raise awareness about the unique challenges faced by individuals during catastrophes — whether natural disasters, pandemics, conflicts, or displacement. It also highlighted the critical gaps in service access and the importance of telemedicine and remote psychological support systems, such as those enabled by the Tele-MANAS initiative, which was launched nationally to provide 24×7 mental health support.
Participants engaged in discussions on psychological first aid, trauma-informed care, and strategies for ensuring continuity of care during emergencies. The workshop also shed light on the growing mental health burden that arises during crises and the disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations such as children, women, elderly individuals, and people with pre-existing mental health conditions.
This timely initiative aligns with the World Health Organization’s global call to action, advocating for strong mental health infrastructures that are resilient and responsive to emergencies. By facilitating such knowledge-sharing platforms, Goa College of Home Science continues to play a proactive role in shaping a more empathetic and prepared society—one that recognizes mental health as a priority, even in the face of adversity.
As the world continues to navigate climate-related disasters, post-pandemic trauma, and geopolitical uncertainties, the workshop underscored that ensuring mental health services during catastrophes is not just a medical necessity but a humanitarian imperative.
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