Students’ Scientific Society of Yerevan State Medical University

This year, Brain Week in Yerevan State Medical University was dedicated to mental disorders and had a topic “The dark side of the Brain”. Our aim was to improve social awareness about mental disorders. Day 1st: We started the first day with the opening ceremony. On that day BAW events started with a “Mental Health and Issues in Psychiatry” lecture by leading neuropsychiatrist Hayk Khojayan, who enlights the border between mental health and disorders. Also, he talks about the current issues of Psychiatry. Day 2nd: It is important for children and students to be aware of the other people around them with mental disorders like autism, Asperger’s syndrome. So on the next day, our team arranged visits to the schools in Armenia. Day 3rd: The third day was fully dedicated to autistic spectrum disorders. The day began with a keynote lecture “Autism in Neuroscience: Research and Models” by the Professor Konstantin Yenkoyan. After the lecture, our team and volunteers visited the Autism Training and Rehabilitation Center in Yerevan. Also throughout the week, artworks of autistic children were exhibited in the main lobby of the University. Day 4th: The next day was dedicated to international students. Working language of this day was English and students presented interactive lections about various mental disorders. The main topics were autism, schizophrenia, OCD, Asperger’s syndrome. Day 5. This day physical activities and yoga were organized, which were inspired by the idea “A healthy mind in a healthy body”. For some participants that were an interesting experience for a first time to feel that calmness in their brains. Day 6. The last day of BAW started with watching “Rain man” thematic movie.