Symbol badge of World Mental Health Day celebrations pinned on President

Marking World Mental Health Day 2018, the butterfly symbol badge was pinned on President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat recently.

The World Mental Health Day celebration was held under the theme ‘Young people and mental health in a changing world’ and in parallel to this event, activists of the Action Network for Mental Health has organised many events across the country. 

World Mental Health Day is observed on 10 October every year, with the overall objective of raising awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilising efforts in support of mental health.

Director of Health Services Action Network Sunil Nanayakkara pinned the first badge on the President.

The Bali Statement 2018, which was published at a meeting held in Bali Islands of Indonesia in collaboration with the activists of mental health support services of 25 countries of Asia Pacific region towards establishing a Presidential Task Force in uplifting the lives of the people suffering from psycho social disabilities, eradicating mental health issues, uplifting the quality of treatments and the health of the community was presented to the President.

National Institute of Mental Health Director Dr. Kapila Wickramanayake, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University Psychiatric Specialist Dr. Jayan Mendis, and others were present at this event.