DHSJ launches comprehensive mental health manual to strengthen community awareness

Jammu: Director Health Services Jammu, Dr. Abdul Hamid Zargar, today launched a comprehensive book on mental health from the Directorate’s office in Jammu.The launch ceremony was attended by senior officials including Dr. Sanjay Sharma, Chief Accounts Officer/Financial Advisor Rajni Gupta, State Tuberculosis Officer Dr. Jyoti Jolly, Assistant Directors Dr. Simmi and Dr. Ila Gupta, along with other officers and staff of the Directorate.

Titled “Brief Manual (Signs & Symptoms) of Common Mental Disorders for Self Help Groups,” the book has been authored by Dr. Ila Gupta, who also serves as Nodal Officer for the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP), and Dr. Akhil Menia. The manual aims to promote mental health awareness at the community level.

The publication is available in three widely spoken languages—English, Hindi, and Urdu—to ensure accessibility for grassroots healthcare workers across the Union Territory. It is designed to help frontline workers identify early signs and symptoms of common mental disorders, including substance use disorders, enabling timely intervention and appropriate referrals to nearby government health facilities.

This initiative is expected to significantly strengthen primary healthcare delivery by equipping community-level workers with practical knowledge for early detection and response. By enhancing awareness and recognition, the manual seeks to bridge gaps in mental healthcare and improve patient outcomes.The Directorate reiterated that the initiative reflects its continued commitment to advancing mental healthcare services and promoting accessible, inclusive, and community-based care across Jammu and Kashmir.