Stigmatization in Psychiatric Disorders and Nursing Approaches in Community Mental Health Services

As part of the World Mental Health Day awareness activities held on October 10, the Department of Nursing at Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University Faculty of Health Sciences organized a conference titled “Stigmatization in Psychiatric Disorders and Nursing Approaches in Community Mental Health Services.” The event was held with strong participation from students and faculty members.

The keynote speaker of the event was Specialist Nurse Saniye Öztürk from Erenköy Psychiatric and Neurological Diseases Training and Research Hospital. The program was moderated by Prof. Dr. Latife Utaş Akhan, Head of the Department of Nursing at Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University Faculty of Health Sciences.

The conference addressed the effects of stigmatization in psychiatric disorders on individuals, families, and society; the importance of nursing approaches in reducing stigma; and the key components of community mental health services. In her presentation, Öztürk discussed the development of community-based mental health services in Türkiye and the challenges faced in practice, sharing significant field experiences with the participants.

At the end of the program, a Q&A session was held, during which students had the opportunity to discuss topics of interest. Prof. Dr. Latife Utaş Akhan, Head of the Department of Nursing, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Didem Ayhan, Vice Dean of the Faculty, presented a certificate of appreciation to Saniye Öztürk for her valuable contributions.

This meaningful event contributed to increasing nursing students’ awareness of the field of mental health and enhancing their professional perspectives. The Department of Nursing at Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University continues to provide its students with a modern and holistic health perspective through events that promote social awareness.