Essay Writing Competition – World Mental Health Week 2026 – Department of Psychiatry

Essay Writing Competition on “The Psychiatrist of Tomorrow: Human, Machine or Both?”

As part of World Mental Health Week 2026, the Department of Psychiatry, Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS), B.G. Nagara, held an essay writing competition with the Indian Psychiatric Society – Karnataka Chapter. The week’s theme was “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change.” The competition took place on 5 October 2026, from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm, in the First Floor Seminar Hall, Psychiatry OPD, AHRC.

The Competition

Fourteen MBBS students wrote essays in English on “The Psychiatrist of Tomorrow: Human, Machine or Both?” They had 45 minutes to write. The competition asked students to think about the growing role of artificial intelligence in psychiatry and what it means for the future of mental healthcare.

Prize Distribution

The Psychiatry faculty evaluated the essays and selected three winners. On 8 October 2026, the winners received cash prizes, funded by the institution, from the Guest of Honour, Dr. Vinay H.R. Dr. Shivakumar, Principal and Dean, and Dr. Ravi K.S., COH, AHRC, also presented the prizes.

Outcomes

The competition:

• encouraged MBBS students to think critically and write creatively about the future of psychiatry
• raised awareness of the roles of empathy, human connection and technology in mental healthcare
• recognised and motivated students through the prizes

Conclusion

The competition gave students a meaningful way to reflect on how human care and technology will work together in tomorrow’s psychiatry. The Department of Psychiatry congratulates the winners and thanks all participants for their thoughtful contributions to World Mental Health Week 2026.