The Pacific Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), UDAIPUR, organised a workshop on Friday as part of the drug de-addiction Week. The event was conducted under the joint supervision of the departments of Psychiatry, Anatomy, Physiology, and Community Medicine.

The workshop, titled “Mental Health – Saying Goodbye to Addiction and Substance Abuse”, was attended by faculty members, postgraduate students, and medical and paramedical students of the institute.

The programme began with the Academic Director, Prof. Dilip Kumar, welcoming the chief guest, Prof. Praveen Khairkar. In his lecture, Prof. Khairkar highlighted the problems caused by addiction, focusing on its mental, educational, and familial consequences. Using a five-peer group reflection role-play model, he demonstrated how addiction gradually affects studies, career, and family life.

The event was coordinated by Prof. Ganesh Khemnar. Through simulated scenarios, the workshop illustrated the damage addiction causes at personal, family, and social levels.

Prof. Khairkar also conducted a live session on mindfulness-based exercises, offering simple techniques for stress management and self-control. He emphasised that recognising the problem of addiction is the first step towards recovery.

Additionally, Dr. Priyanka Jha (Senior Resident) and Dr. Tejendra Nath (Clinical Psychologist) shared practical methods and treatment options for overcoming addiction. Dr. Divya Chaddha presented an inspiring anti-addiction poem that emotionally engaged the audience.

The primary aim of the programme was to convey to youth the message of choosing life over addiction and prioritising mental health.