Bahraich: A seminar on mental health was organised at the Integrated Checkpost in Rupaiyidha, located on the India-Nepal border, on Thursday.
Highlighting alarming statistics about gender-based violence in Uttar Pradesh, mental health expert Dr Priyanka Saxena shared that, according to govt data, 35% of women in the state are victims of gender-based violence and last year's figures showed that five out of every 100 girls were victims of rape.
She emphasised the need for increased public awareness to combat these issues and ensure better access to existing resources. "We have many resources, but they are not reaching the common people. It is our duty to bridge this gap," she said.
Meanwhile, Dr Swarnima Singh spoke about the importance of mental health in daily life. "A healthy mind is crucial for controlling one's feelings. If you cannot control your emotions, you are not mentally healthy," she said.
Other prominent speakers at the seminar included BJP leader Ratan Agarwal and senior teacher Avdhesh Gupta. The seminar was attended by several officers from Nepal, including Krishna Sharma, Santosh Dahal, Rina Singh, Karuna Chaudhary, and Vijay Kumar Chaudhary.