The Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, today hosted the prestigious Prof. N.N. Wig Oration, delivered this year by Prof. Mohan Isaac, renowned psychiatrist, teacher, and global mental health leader . His lecture, titled “The Changing Landscape of Psychiatry: A Personal Kaleidoscopic View of the Past 50 Years”, traced the evolution of psychiatry through decades of progress, debate, and reform.

Prof. Isaac reflected on the shifting paradigms that have shaped the field, touching on key issues including the reliability and validity of psychiatric diagnosis, the growing global movement for increasing mental health awareness, the rise and influence of the anti-psychiatry movement, and the far-reaching impact of deinstitutionalization. Drawing from his rich international experience, he highlighted how psychiatry has navigated challenges, embraced scientific advances, and responded to social change.

Speaking to an audience of students, faculty, and professionals, Prof. Isaac emphasised the need for psychiatry to remain humane, inclusive, and scientifically grounded. He also underlined the importance of integrating mental health into primary health care and addressing stigma to ensure equitable access to services worldwide.

The Prof. N.N. Wig Oration, instituted in honour of the late Prof. N.N. Wig—pioneer of psychiatry in India—serves as a platform to celebrate thought leadership and critical reflection in mental health. This year’s oration not only offered a historical perspective but also opened conversations on the future direction of psychiatry in India and globally.

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