WB governor Keshari Nath Tripathi, WB chief secretary Sanjay Mitra, the current superior general of the Missionaries of Charity of Calcutta Sister Mary Prema Pierick, president of Antara Kamal Prakash and the general secretary of the organization PM John were present at the event.

The chief guest of the event, WB governor Keshari Nath Tripathi said, "There are many types of people in our society. As responsible citizens, all should treat everyone in the society in a good manner and behaviour to make a strong and modernize the society. Serving the human cause and continuing to help the humanity and let us be little more compassionate towards those who has mental problem."

Antara's president Kamal Prakash said, "Most of the mental diseases are treatable or curable if be treated properly. People with mental health conditions around the world experience stigma, discrimination and wide-ranging violations which strips them of their dignity."

"Antara has taken a stand to return the respect, recognition and dignity to the mentally disabled individuals by providing love, care, support and better facilities, as well as treatment, social support and other opportunities," he said.

Talking about the organization and its works, the general secretary of Antara, PM John said, "A day dedicated to mental health can be instrumental in raising people’s awareness of mental illnesses and removing the false perceptions attached to them. It is important to uphold the human rights of mental patients, and regenerate awareness against stigmatisation of people with mental illnesses. We must leave no stone unturned to highlight the symptoms and remedial opportunities for those with depression, schizophrenia, bipolar syndrome, etc."

"Antara has 243 staff, 200-bed facility and four satellite clinics in Kolkata and at Noorpur, Port Canning and Gazipur in South 24 Parganas district," he further added.

When the mental health problems are on the rise, driven in large part by changing lifestyles and stress-related issues, non-profit organization Antara is striving to extend a helping hand to the mentally distressed, through its comprehensive care and rehabilitation facilities for children and adults suffering from psychiatric disorders and chemical dependency.

(Reporting by Deepayan Sinha, Image by IBNS)