First Lady inaugurates Maldives’ first “Psychology Symposium and Exhibition”

First Lady Fazna Ahmed on Monday inaugurated the first “Psychology Symposium and Exhibition” in the Maldives, organised by Villa College to commemorate World Mental Health Day. The “Psychology Symposium and Exhibition” was opened at the Villa College QI Campus in Malé City this afternoon.

Speaking at the ceremony, the First Lady reflected on her time volunteering at the frontlines during the Covid-19 pandemic at the Hulhumalé Covid Facility and shared her experiences and concerns. She emphasised the impact of mental health and the importance of helping each other. She said the most important lesson she took away from the experience was that physical health could not exist without mental well-being.

The First Lady expressed gratitude to Villa College for the importance it accords to the field of mental health and for its part in developing the human resources needed to support it.

At the ceremony, the First Lady launched the first issue of the Villa College Psychology Bulletin. The bulletin will feature articles by students from the psychology programmes at the college.

World Mental Health Day is celebrated on 10 October every year. This year’s theme for World Mental Health Day is “Making Mental Health and Well-Being for All a Global Priority.”