World Mental Health Day: Mental Illness to Personhood

Mental health is often discussed through diagnoses, symptoms and treatment. But behind every diagnosis is a person, with a story, a struggle, a family, a set of experiences, and a life that cannot always be captured by a clinical label. On World Mental Health Day 2026, we turn our attention to that human side of mental health. What does it actually feel like to live with a mental health condition? What do people experience that others may never see? How can families, friends, institutions and society become better at listening, understanding and supporting those who are struggling? Bringing together the perspectives of a psychologist, a psychiatrist and a person with lived experience of ADHD, this session will explore mental health not only from the perspective of diagnosis and treatment, but also through the eyes of someone who has lived it. ● About the Speakers: » Dr. Usama Bin Zubair is a Consultant Psychiatrist and Executive Director at the Pakistan Institute of Mental Health, Rawalpindi. He is a Gold Medalist in FCPS and Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (UK). » Ayesha Durrani is a seasoned psychologist with over two decades of experience. She is passionate about helping people break free from mental toxicity and build genuine emotional well-being. Through her work, she fosters safe spaces for self-discovery, resilience, and purposeful living.