KD NEWS SERVICE
SRINAGAR, April 17:In a major step towards strengthening mental healthcare delivery at a time of rising psychological distress across Jammu and Kashmir, the Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar, Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS), on Friday successfully conducted the Union Territory’s first-ever Virtual Medical Board Meet in Psychiatry.
Held on April 17, 2026, the pioneering academic initiative assumes heightened significance in the present circumstances, as mental health experts continue to flag an increasing prevalence of stress, depression, anxiety disorders and substance abuse, . With a considerable treatment gap and limited access to specialist care in peripheral areas, such UT-level academic collaborations are being seen as crucial to ensuring uniform, accessible, and quality mental healthcare.
The virtual meet witnessed an overwhelming participation of around 200 delegates, including senior faculty members, consultants, postgraduate scholars, and trainees from all medical colleges across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The participating institutions included GMC Jammu, SKIMS Medical College, GMC Anantnag, GMC Baramulla, GMC Handwara, GMC Doda, GMC Kathua, and GMC Rajouri. Psychiatrists from the Tele-MANAS team also actively took part, reflecting the growing importance of tele-mental health services in bridging accessibility gaps.
The scientific session, which formed the core of the meet, revolved primarily around the emerging and newer role of modified Electroconvulsive Therapy (mECT), particularly in the management of neurocognitive disorders. Experts highlighted that while mECT has traditionally been used in severe psychiatric illnesses, its evolving application in neurocognitive conditions is opening new frontiers in treatment, especially in complex and treatment-resistant cases.
A key highlight of the session was the presentation of an atypical clinical case with significant diagnostic and management implications by Dr. Chandini Wani, Senior Resident.
The case prompted an engaging and academically rich discussion among participants, reflecting real-world clinical complexities. The session was moderated by Dr. Yuman Kawoos, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, who steered the deliberations with clinical insight and academic depth. Dr. Faisal, Assistant Professor of Anaesthesia, provided valuable inputs on the anaesthetic implications of the mECT procedure, underlining the importance of interdisciplinary coordination in psychiatric interventions.
The meet was formally inaugurated by the Principal/ Dean of GMC Srinagar Prof. Iffat Hassan Shah, who emphasized the urgent need for strengthening academic integration and ensuring clinical uniformity across all medical institutions in the Union Territory. He stressed that in the face of growing mental health challenges, coordinated efforts and standardized practices are essential to deliver effective and equitable patient care.
Beyond the scientific discussions, the meet served as an important platform for deliberations on key psychiatric and mental health priorities in Jammu and Kashmir. Participants discussed the need for standardization of clinical practices, improving interdepartmental referrals, and developing structured academic activities aimed at enhancing mental healthcare delivery across institutions.
The role of IMHANS, GMC Srinagar, was particularly significant in facilitating academic coordination, expert interaction, and the structured conduct of the virtual board meet. The institute once again reaffirmed its position as a leading mental health and academic hub in the Union Territory.
Participants actively engaged in discussions on evolving challenges in mental healthcare, including increasing patient load, gaps in service delivery, and the need for stronger institutional collaboration. The importance of coordinated psychiatric services, especially in underserved and remote areas, was also highlighted. The initiative was widely appreciated by attendees, who described it as a forward-looking step towards unified mental health planning and enhanced academic networking across Jammu and Kashmir.
The Department of Psychiatry at GMC Srinagar reiterated its commitment to continue organizing such UT-level academic and clinical engagements in the future. Officials emphasized that sustained collaboration and knowledge-sharing will be key to improving both patient care outcomes and academic excellence in the field of psychiatry.
