KARACHI: A public awareness program on raising resilient, healthy children using a biopsychoecological framework gathered doctors, mental health professionals, and parenting advocates in Karachi on Saturday, offering expert guidance on child wellbeing from preconception to adolescence. The event, titled “Sowing the seed for the tree of life – a biopsychoecological road map from preconception to adolescence for raising resilient, healthy children,” was organized by Pharmatec Pakistan (Pvt.) Limited.
The session was led by consultant psychiatrist Dr. Roop Zainab Rana and renowned professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences Dr. Mowadat Hussain Rana (Sitara-e-Imtiaz). The program aimed to help families, caregivers, and healthcare providers better understand the interconnected biological, psychological, social, and ecological factors that shape a child’s development.
A deeply engaging expert session
Participants described the session as highly interactive and impactful. One attendee shared on social media that the hall—filled with doctors and practitioners—remained fully engaged throughout the discussion. Real-life case examples sparked meaningful conversations, allowing participants to reflect on their clinical experiences and community challenges. The blend of expert insights and peer-driven dialogue provided attendees with practical tools they could apply in clinical practice as well as family settings.
The experts emphasized that early environments, parental mental health, emotional communication, and supportive social structures are foundational in determining long-term resilience. They highlighted that preparing for healthy child development begins even before conception, calling for increased awareness and structured guidance for expecting parents.
Program proceedings
The event opened with guest arrival and recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by the main session led by Dr. Roop Zainab Rana and Prof. Dr. Mowadat Hussain Rana. A Q/A segment allowed participants to raise questions related to child psychology, adolescent behavior, parenting challenges, emotional regulation, and early-life stressors.
The program concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Shahida Qaisar, group CEO of Pharmatec Pakistan, who appreciated the speakers and participants for contributing to a collective understanding of child resilience and mental wellbeing. The session ended with hi-tea and networking.
A step toward community-based mental health awareness
The initiative forms part of Pharmatec Pakistan’s commitment to supporting public health education and promoting family wellbeing. By bringing together experts and practitioners, the program strengthened community awareness about child mental health—an area often overlooked in mainstream healthcare discussions.
Events like this, grounded in evidence-based approaches and professional expertise, play a critical role in empowering families and healthcare providers to build emotionally strong, psychologically secure, and socially adaptive future generations.
