Southern Command Launches Helpline Let’s Talk On World Mental Health Day 

World Mental Health Day was observed on 10 Oct across Southern Command Area of Responsibility. The theme for 2023 is Mental health is a universal human right. 

All across Southern Command, a campaign titled Aao Baat Karein – Lets Talk has been launched. Under this campaign, volunteers form the Armed Forces community, such as doctors, nursing officers, nursing assistants, serving officers, veterans and family form a group. They are accessible via a common telephone number to assist the armed forces personnel and their family, to offer their time for the mentally disturbed to come and discuss their issues and seek solutions and advice. 

Maj Gen Hirdesh Sahni, MG Medical of the Command who initiated this concept, stated that this facility will allow easy access to the armed forces personnel who are away from their family support system. This facility has been made available across all the stations of Southern Command and is being spearheaded by various medical heads in their respective formations and stations.

The team of volunteers will meet at regular intervals and on as required basis. The team can be contacted via a central mobile no. 8010160751, manned at Command Hospital Southern Command Pune, which in turn will contact the respective military station team.

Lieutenant General Ajai Kumar Singh, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Yudh Seva Medal, Sena Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal, Army Commander Southern Command has appreciated this effort by team medical and has directed the station administration to ensure wide publicity.

On this day, the Aao Baat Karen – Let’s Talk teams across the stations, discussed the concerns and issues disturbing the personnel and family who approached them. Awareness lectures, panel discussions, interactive sessions, posters display, distribution of pamphlets and walkin counselling etc were also held at various locations.