Hamdard Naunehal Assembly champions children’s mental health


IV Report

KARACHI: The Hamdard Foundation Pakistan recently convened another session of its Naunehal Assembly, focusing on the pressing issue of children's mental health. The event, held at the Bait al-Hikmah Auditorium, explored challenges such as anxiety, stress, depression, and fatigue among young people.

Renowned psychologist Dr Muhammad Imran Yousuf, the chief guest at the session, delivered an insightful keynote address, emphasising that adopting positive habits significantly improves mental well-being. “Students should set clear academic goals and pursue them with full dedication,” he said, underscoring the value of discipline, hard work, and focus. “Every small success boosts confidence. Perseverance is a virtue every student should nurture.”

Paying tribute to the enduring legacy of the late Hakim Mohammad Said, founder of the Hamdard Foundation, and acknowledging the contributions of the foundation’s current president, Sadia Rashid, Dr Yousuf stressed the role of cultural values in mental health.


“Our Eastern traditions teach us the sanctity of relationships,” he remarked. “Kindness to relatives and the ability to forgive are not only noble but also essential for personal well-being. Anger and sorrow keep the mind in a state of constant stress.”

Warning of the negative impact of excessive social media use, he advised students to limit their time on mobile phones. “Like an addiction, social media captures attention and, when overused, leads to gloom and hopelessness,” he cautioned. Encouraging constructive habits, he added, “Every action should serve a positive purpose. Sharing knowledge and helping classmates can also improve one’s own mental health.”

Young participants, including Ayesha Fawad (Leader of the House, Hamdard Public School), Syed Muhammad Shuja (Leader of the Opposition, Hamdard Public School), Umar Azeemi (Azeemi Public Higher Secondary School), Kareena Awan (The Savvy School), Barirah Siddiqui (GCT Hilal School), and Zainat (Hamdard Village School), shared their reflections on the theme.

The event also featured a theatre performance by students of Rose House Grammar School. The session concluded with the recitation of Dua-i-Said by students of Hamdard Public School and Hamdard Village School. The proceedings were conducted by Syeda Maryam Fatima, Speaker of the Naunehal Assembly (Hamdard Public School). 

Photos courtesy: Hamdard Public Relations

With an uninterrupted 23-year career in daily journalism (1991-2013), the author/editor of this blog currently serves as Editor of Social Track, a weekly newspaper focused on social sectors, based in Karachi. Holding a master's degree in Mass Communications from the University of Karachi (1990), his professional experience includes roles as senior reporter at Daily Dawn, Karachi (May 2001-August 2013) and Chief Reporter at The News International, Karachi (April 1991-May 2001). He has a strong background in development journalism, he has an extensive portfolio of news stories, analytical reports and features covering a wide range of sectors. He has had the privilege of covering numerous high-profile figures, including Pakistani presidents, prime ministers, army chiefs, foreign dignitaries, and VVIPs and attending conferences and workshops abroad. He began his journalism career in the early 1980s. Throughout his career, he has received several national awards from government and private organisations. He has contributed to various radio and TV/channel broadcasts and has also served as a trainer at workshops in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, focused on training journalists.

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