Hot seat with Dr. Williams

28 December 2011 12:30 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 17 Bookmark

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Secretary of the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists Dr. Shehan Williams speaks to the Daily Mirror on mental healthcare in Sri Lanka. Dr. Williams is also the Head of the Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya.

Comments - 17

A W Abdulkany Friday, 30 December 2011 04:54 AM

There only a handful who wish to take into the field of mental health. We are awfully inadequate Psychiatrists in Sri Lanka. compared to the population and other bio-medical practitioners, we have a little more 1400 + in the Island. The State must encourage medical students to get into this field.
Mental Health personnel must be well trained, if possible ooverseas traning period. Mental Health is neglected field
are in Sri Lanka. Less prominence is given compared to other medical disciplines. We will create a sick nation if fail to look at this area seriously.

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Dinesh Sunday, 22 January 2012 07:59 PM

Seeking mental health is a taboo topic in the tropics! This is indeed a very refreshing viewpoint that dispells the associated stigma and encourages people to seek appropriate help and advise. Great to see the initiatives and focus on such an important aspect of human wellbeing. A timely initiative as Sri Lanka recovers from the hangover of war. May you have the strength and courage to impliment these great initiatives.

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Dr.Sumudu Godawita Thursday, 05 January 2012 04:39 PM

Srilankans are very lucky to have such people like you !

Thank you Sir !

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B. Fernando Monday, 02 January 2012 03:34 AM

Deep meditation or spiritual contemplation has allowed rewiring in the brain. Tibetan monks and Franciscan nuns were subjected to brain scans SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography) while in meditation and found increased activity in the prefrontal cortex of the brain. More details could be found in the internet. It is also interesting to know Franciscan Nuns had greater activity compared with Tibetan monks. Mental illness is due to malfunctioning of brain and activities such as, meditation, music, gardening, and painting etc will definitely help these patients.

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sara Sunday, 01 January 2012 05:37 AM

where else do you find mentally sick people in Sri Lanka, if not in KELANIYA.

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Dr Malaka Sunday, 01 January 2012 04:35 AM

its a great pleasure to c u Sir here...v a always with u encouraging u....i also agree wit u Sir that v need a community based mental health care system established sourrounding MOMH and public health care nursing officer etc......gd luck n happy nw yr sir...

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Yahiya-Doha Sunday, 01 January 2012 02:10 AM

Very few medias working with Psychiatrist. This is need today.

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upul Saturday, 31 December 2011 02:35 PM

Sir, Please give solid causes why our politicians behave like this ?

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niren Saturday, 31 December 2011 08:53 AM

Jesus helped me

Jeff: The Holy Bible is correct about the rest and the release

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sooriyakumar Thursday, 29 December 2011 06:29 AM

Shehan ,

Great toview your interview. I still remember the university fellowship time .

Thanks for helping the needy people in Sri Lanka.

Soori
Sydney

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Ahmed Hilmy Friday, 30 December 2011 04:45 AM

I feel like putting my hands together to what Mr. Jeffry said about a religion's contribution in getting people rid of all causes of mental diseases. however we seek to address our problems with our knowledge and science, there are many things where science is rendered numb. noone holds the monopoly of any religions in this world. If we feel the pressing need of a religion to play its role in creating a world sans people of mental disorders, it follows that we all should join heads and shoulders to find a religion that can be practicable and that can conform to the modern context of the crisis the mother land is facing.

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Buddhika Weerakkody Friday, 30 December 2011 04:15 AM

Great interview sir...

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ampare son Friday, 30 December 2011 02:16 AM

triple gem bless you sir. thank you daily mirror too.

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chadeesha Thursday, 29 December 2011 03:10 PM

great interview sir , you have done wonders to enlighten people of our country regarding true nature of mental illness . wish you best of luck

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Shemani Thursday, 29 December 2011 02:01 PM

I heard that Shehan Williams is a fantastic guy. Best of Luck Doctor..

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Jeffry Thursday, 29 December 2011 12:22 PM

Well done Dr Williams, agreed with all of your comments except for religious guidance. Religious guidance is the most effective way to overcome any mental and related issues. The Holy Bible says that 'Thy Word is a lamp into my feet, and a light unto my path' (Psalm 119:105), 'Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest' (Matthew 11:28).

Sin is the number one cause of sickness / most of the mental and related illnesses. In Australia mental health illness, in most cases directly linked to illict drug usage & Drunkenness.

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Yanushka Thursday, 29 December 2011 09:37 AM

Nice to see this sir.

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