News of delegation visits

Metro53 - LAHORE (Staff Reporter) -- A delegation of the Pakistan Federal Union of Columnists (PFUC) and Creators visited the Well-Being Centre established at The University of Lahore (UOL), where the initiative aimed at promoting mental and psychological health among students and staff was highlighted.

Director UOL Well-Being Centre Prof Dr Shamaila Asad briefed the delegation on the objectives, services and working mechanism of the centre.
The delegation comprised renowned motivational speaker Qasim Ali Shah, PFUC Chairman and anchorperson Farrukh Shahbaz Warraich, Central President Fareed Razaqi, Vice President Azhar Tharaj, Secretary General Waqar Aslam, President Women Wing Mahwish Fazal, Member BOG Abdul Majeed, Shahzad Chaudhry, Sajid Khan, Madho Lal and other senior columnists.
Speaking on the occasion, Qasim Ali Shah said that nearly 30 per cent of people across the world suffer from psychological issues. Referring to recent unfortunate incidents at UOL, he said the establishment of the Well-Being Centre was a timely step that would not only help students seek treatment for mental and psychological concerns but also play a role in preventing such incidents within educational institutions.
He stressed that universities across Pakistan should follow UOL’s example by setting up similar centres. He also highlighted the prevailing stigma around mental health in Pakistan, where individuals facing psychological challenges are often wrongly labelled as “mentally ill.” In contrast, he noted, many developed countries teach happiness as an academic subject and actively engage motivational speakers, underscoring the need to raise awareness and change mindsets locally.
Prof Dr Shamaila Asad told the delegation that the UOL Well-Being Centre will offer free-of-cost treatment and awareness services to students, teachers and staff. She explained that a comprehensive assessment programme has been designed for the entire university, under which teachers, class CRs and GRs will refer students facing mental health challenges, while students may also directly approach the centre.
She added that the centre has appointed clinical psychologists, counselling psychologists and health psychologists who will carry out professional assessments and provide appropriate psychological support and guidance.